The cybersecurity world mourns the loss of Amit Yoran, a trailblazing leader whose visionary approach and passion for the industry left an indelible mark. Yoran, who passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer, was renowned for his transformational leadership at Tenable, RSA, and beyond. His career reflected a profound commitment to advancing digital security and shaping the future of cybersecurity.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and holder of a master's degree in computer science from George Washington University, Yoran began his cybersecurity journey in the U.S. Department of Defense. He was a founding member of the Department of Defense's CERT program and later served as the first director of the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) at the Department of Homeland Security. His efforts in these roles established him as a key figure in defending critical infrastructure and responding to emerging cyber threats.
In the private sector, Yoran's entrepreneurial spirit shone. He founded NetWitness, a network forensics company acquired by RSA in 2011, where he subsequently served as president. His tenure at Tenable, beginning in 2016, was marked by significant achievements, including the company's IPO in 2018 and its emergence as a leader in vulnerability management.
Reflections from industry leaders
Yoran's influence was deeply felt across the cybersecurity community.
Casey Ellis, Founder of Bugcrowd, recalled his personal interactions with Yoran, saying: "If you ever had the opportunity to connect with Amit in person, it was an unforgettable experience. He had a warmth, drive, and kind of encouraging energy to him that was infectious and inspiring to be around. He truly loved cybersecurity as a problem space and the challenge of reconciling big cybersecurity problems with business models that worked."
James Scobey, CISO at Keeper Security, emphasized Yoran's foundational role in shaping federal cybersecurity initiatives: "His leadership was instrumental in establishing US-CERT. His commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and advancing the field of cybersecurity was unmatched. He will be deeply missed."
Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, highlighted Yoran's personal and professional impact: "Amit was super cool, brilliant, and deeply respected in the cybersecurity industry. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family."
Jason Soroko, Senior Fellow at Sectigo, praised Yoran's transformative vision: "Amit reframed the role of cybersecurity from a narrow technical function into modern strategic thinking. He bridged the gap between security practitioners and the C-suite, encouraging both to speak a common language of resilience and innovation."
Stephen Kowski, Field CTO at SlashNext, underscored Yoran's courage and principles: "The cybersecurity community has lost a bold, principled leader who championed transparency and accountability. Amit's unwavering commitment to protecting organizations from sophisticated attacks continues to inspire today's strategies."
Adding to the tributes, Jen Easterly shared her thoughts on LinkedIn:
A lasting legacy
Amit Yoran's legacy extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. He was a mentor, collaborator, and visionary who united defenders across industries and borders. As Jason Soroko aptly put it, "Yoran's true legacy lies in the way he reimagined what cybersecurity could be... cultivating digital trust."
The SecureWorld community joins the broader cybersecurity industry in extending our deepest condolences to Yoran's family, friends, and colleagues. His contributions will continue to guide and inspire as we carry forward his mission of making the digital world safer for all.
