Amit Yoran, the CEO and chairman of cybersecurity firm Tenable Holdings, passed away on Friday at the age of 54 after battling cancer, as confirmed by the company.
Bridgett Paradise, Tenable’s chief people and culture officer, expressed her condolences in a message to employees, describing Yoran as not only a visionary leader but also a significant force who made a profound impact on the company, the industry, and its community.
Yoran had taken a medical leave of absence on December 5. He had been the company’s CEO since 2016 and led Tenable through its public offering in 2018.
Before his time at Tenable, Yoran was president of RSA Security, a computer and network security company, and founded NetWitness, a threat detection and response platform. In 1998, he co-founded Riptech Inc., a company that used sensor networks to protect government and corporate computers from cyberattacks.
In 2003, Yoran was appointed director of the newly established National Cyber Security Division at the Department of Homeland Security but resigned after one year.
Yoran was also frequently featured in media interviews discussing cybersecurity and data privacy. In March 2023, he discussed the potential US government ban on TikTok, citing concerns about data collection practices.
Art Coviello, Tenable’s lead independent director, will now take over as chairman and praised Yoran’s contributions, stating that his strategic vision, passion for cybersecurity, and ability to inspire others have deeply shaped the company. Coviello added that Yoran’s legacy would continue to influence Tenable moving forward.
During Yoran’s absence, Tenable appointed CFO Steve Vintz and COO Mark Thurmond as co-CEOs. They will continue to lead the company while Tenable searches for a permanent CEO.
