Nir Zuk, founder and chief technology officer of Palo Alto Networks, has retired after two decades with the company
Lee Klarich, the company’s chief product officer, has been appointed to the board and will assume the role of chief technology officer, overseeing technology vision, product strategy and engineering.
Zuk founded Palo Alto in 2005 and is credited with pioneering the next-generation firewall. He helped grow the company into a global cybersecurity leader before deciding to pursue new challenges.
“I started Palo Alto Networks with a radical idea and the conviction to challenge a stagnant industry with a cybersecurity platform,” Zuk said. “Our vision has always been to lead from the front, and our recent intent to acquire CyberArk is a testament to that enduring ambition. With the most comprehensive security portfolio today, I am confident in Nikesh’s leadership and thrilled to pass the torch to Lee Klarich. He is a phenomenal technologist who will carry that competitive fire into our next chapter. This has been an incredible journey, and I leave with deep satisfaction, knowing the company we built together is stronger than ever.”
Klarich, who joined Palo Alto in 2006, has led product strategy and innovation as CPO. His board appointment adds technical expertise at the highest level of the company, Palo Alto said.