Amit Yoran

1970 – 2025

Tenable One

A life with a mission

With boundless gratitude, we remember the life and contributions of Amit Yoran, Tenable’s beloved Chairman and CEO. He was a scholar, soldier and public servant; a leader, visionary and entrepreneur in the field of cybersecurity; a loyal friend, colleague and mentor to so many; and a father, brother and son to his family.

He charted his own course and had an independent spirit that shone through often in the form of a mischievous grin, an easy laugh, or a well-timed joke. No moment was too big for him, and he was never out of place in any circumstance. He cared about people, supported all those in his orbit and had a personal story about everyone. Above all else, he was a truth teller and his name will forever be synonymous with integrity and transparency.

Amit's enduring legacy will live on as we continue his life’s mission to create a more secure digital future.

Watch the tribute video

Discover why industry experts choose Tenable

I will remember and celebrate Amit for his incredible kindness and his basic human decency, which set an example for all of us who take seriously the burden and privilege of leadership…While considered an OG of cyber, Amit left us way too young, but he also left an important and enduring legacy
Jen Easterly Director of the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, DHS
The entire cybersecurity community owes an extraordinary debt of gratitude to Amit … Everyone who crossed Amit’s path is better for it.
Eric Goldstein Head of Cyber Risk at Capital One, former Executive Assistant Director of Cybersecurity, CISA
His relentless and lifelong service to others and his commitment to delivering on any/all commitments taught me, and all those privileged to enjoy his fellowship, much about the meaning, purpose and legacy of a life well lived.
Chris Inglis First U.S. National Cyber Director, former Deputy Director of the NSA
…his contributions will endure as a guiding light for the cybersecurity community.
The NetWitness team
He was a pioneer who undoubtedly transformed cybersecurity for the better.
Adena Friedman Chair and CEO, Nasdaq
Amit’s leadership, dedication, and passion not only shaped an industry but also inspired everyone, even across competitive lines.
Trishneet Arora Founder and CEO of TAC Security
Amit was a trailblazer, a colleague, and someone I deeply respected. His contributions shaped the industry in countless ways, and his absence will be felt across the entire cybersecurity community.
George Kurtz CEO of CrowdStrike
The industry has lost a Titan.
Sumedh Thakar President and CEO, Qualys
…he built not just businesses but also families.
Gabriel Martinez CEO and Co-Founder of Analytica42
…a very high substance to fluff ratio of which there are very few: a true visionary in our cybersecurity industry
Rohit Ghai CEO at RSA Security
He was an incredible visionary and contributor to cybersecurity.
RSA Conference
…a champion of our community.
Pat Opet Global Chief Information Security Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
His impact on the profession and community will be missed.
Tomás Maldonado Chief Information Security Officer at NFL
His commitment to advancing cybersecurity, particularly through his strategic vision at Tenable, has left an indelible mark on our industry.
SentinelOne
Amit ermetic acquisition event Israel
Amit long beard
Amit ermetic acquisition event Israel
Amit IGN Conference
Amit young
CNBC interview

Calling it like I see it on all issues cyber. Views expressed are my own. They have and will continue to get me in hot water from time to time. Oh well.

Amit Yoran

Timeline

Dec 1970

Amit Yoran is born in the U.S. to Israeli parents who immigrated to the United States.

1993

Amit graduates from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s in computer science. He’d go on to earn his master’s from The George Washington University, also in computer science.

1997

Combining his commitment to serving his country with his passion for cybersecurity, Amit becomes one of the founding members of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Computer Emergency Response Team (DoD-CERT).

1998

Amit co-founds Riptech with his brother Elad and Tim Belcher. It’s the first of many organizations he would found and lead, helping to shape the cybersecurity industry for decades.

2002

Riptech is acquired by Symantec for $145 million.

2003

Returning to public service, Amit becomes National Cybersecurity Director for the Department of Homeland Security. His time there was defined by the creation of the first-ever national alert system for viruses and cyberattacks.

2006

Amit founds NetWitness to bring deep, real-time network analysis to enterprises globally. The company’s 2010 discovery of a massive botnet attack–the Kneber ZeuS botnet–really put it on the map.

2011

EMC Corporation acquires NetWitness, selling its products under the RSA Security Division.

2014

RSA Security appoints Amit president.

2017

Amit joins Tenable as chairman and CEO. He led the company’s public offering in 2018 and helped to grow Tenable from an underdog into a nearly $5 billion exposure management leader, with more than 40,000 customers globally. An impatient and unrelenting visionary, Amit was singularly focused on making our world a safer place through better cybersecurity.

Jan 2025

After a brave battle with cancer, Amit passes away at home, surrounded by family.

The memory wall

The Yoran family invites you to share your favorite stories about Amit (and pictures, too) on this memory wall.