Amit Yoran, who took cybersecurity company Tenable to the public market as chief executive, died Friday. He was 54 years old.
Yoran’s death was confirmed by Tenable in a press release on Saturday. While the company said his death was unexpected, Yoran took medical leave early last month while battling cancer.
Funeral details have not yet been announced, the company said Saturday.
Yoran took the helm at Tenable in 2016, his latest leadership role in cybersecurity. He previously served as president of RSA Security from 2014 to 2016. Yoran founded and led NetWitness as CEO between 2006 and 2011 before it was acquired by RSA, according to his LinkedIn page.
His decades-long career in cybersecurity also included government and nonprofit work. Yoran served as national director of cybersecurity at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2004. He has served on the board of directors of the Center for Internet Security since 2019.
Two years into Yoran’s tenure, Tenable went public on Nasdaq. At the time, the IPO was considered a success story for Wall Street cybersecurity companies.
Yoran called the company’s focus on enterprise technology vulnerabilities unique in the market, while also highlighting its successful move to a subscription model. In 2018, Yoran said, more than half of Fortune 500 companies were Tenable customers.
“We have become one of the most trusted and loved brands in cybersecurity,” he told CNBC at the time of Tenable’s IPO. “Only the best and most successful private companies have the opportunity to go public. And it gives us a place on a much bigger stage to be able to tell our story.
Tenable CFO Steve Vintz and COO Mark Thurmond have been serving as co-CEOs since Yoran took medical leave in December. They will continue to share this role while its board searches for a permanent successor, the company said.
Yoran expected his leave to last only a few months and said his condition was a “treatable situation,” according to a memo to employees posted on his LinkedIn page. He had “complete confidence” in Vintz and Thurmond to run the company in his absence.
“We have a lot to do and there is no time to lose,” Yoran wrote. “While I take a brief break to prioritize my health, I will stay as connected as possible while giving myself the space to fully heal. I am deeply grateful to each of you, not only for the dedication you bring to your work, but also for the sense of community we have built together.
Yoran also served as Chairman of Tenable’s Board of Directors, a position that will now be held by Art Coviello, the company’s lead independent director. In a statement, Coviello called Yoran an “extraordinary” leader, colleague and friend.
“His passion for cybersecurity, his strategic vision and his ability to inspire those around him have shaped Tenable’s culture and mission,” Coviello said. “His legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward.” »
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