Palo Alto Networks’ founder, chief technology officer, and board member Nir Zuk has retired after more than 20 years.
Lee Klarich, chief product officer, has been appointed to the company's board of directors and has also assumed the role of chief technology officer.
Zuk founded Palo Alto Networks in 2005, pioneering next-generation firewalls. He is now stepping away to turn his attention to “a new set of challenges and untapped ideas he is passionate about pursuing”, said the company.
Zuk said: "I started Palo Alto Networks with a radical idea and the conviction to challenge a stagnant industry with a cybersecurity platform. Our vision has always been to lead from the front, and our recent intent to acquire CyberArk is a testament to that enduring ambition.
“Lee Klarich is a phenomenal technologist who will carry that competitive fire into our next chapter.”
Chairman and CEO Nikesh Arora added: "I remember the very first day I met Nir. He was sharp, insightful, and welcoming, and we built a great partnership and friendship. Nir is a legend in cybersecurity, and his contributions are forever etched in our history books.”
Klarich joined Palo Alto Networks in 2006, and has been instrumental in driving the company's product strategy and innovation as CPO.
