Amit Yoran, an influential figure in cybersecurity and the CEO and chairman of Tenable, passed away on Friday at the age of 54.Â
Yoran’s death marks the end of a career characterized by significant contributions to the cybersecurity industry, marked leadership, and a dedicated pursuit of digital safety.
A native of Virginia, Yoran succumbed to cancer after a battle that led him to step away from his duties on Dec. 5, leaving Tenable in the hands of co-CEOs Steve Vintz and Mark Thurmond. He had been at the helm of Tenable, a Maryland-based cybersecurity firm, since 2016. Under his leadership, the company successfully went public in 2018.
Bridgett Paradise, Tenable’s chief people and culture officer, posted a note the company sent to employees on LinkedIn, describing Yoran as “a visionary leader and a guiding force who profoundly impacted our industry, company, culture, and community.” Social media was filled with heartfelt acknowledgments of Yoran’s contributions to both Tenable and the broader cybersecurity field as news of his passing spread.
Yoran’s cybersecurity career began with noteworthy ventures that laid the groundwork for his eventual ascension to industry prominence. Holding a B.S. in computer science from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he co-founded Riptech Inc. in 1998, which became an early innovator in using sensors for digital defense. He also founded network security company NetWitness and served as president of RSA Security before joining Tenable.
His government service included a pivotal role as the first director of the National Cyber Security Division at the Department of Homeland Security, where he honed policies critical to national cybersecurity preparedness.
Beyond his corporate and governmental positions, Yoran was a recognized voice in cybersecurity discourse. He was particularly vocal in the wake of a cyberattack in 2023 that affected U.S. government officials, which was partly caused by a security lapse in Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.
“Amit was an extraordinary leader, colleague, and friend,” said Art Coviello, Tenable’s lead independent director, in a press release. “His passion for cybersecurity, his strategic vision, and his ability to inspire those around him have shaped Tenable’s culture and mission. His legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward.”
Vintz and Thurmond will lead Tenable as the company seeks a permanent CEO.
The post Tenable CEO Amit Yoran dies at 54 appeared first on CyberScoop.