[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF AMIT YORAN
______
HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 10, 2025
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the
legacy of Amit Yoran, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
cybersecurity company Tenable, who recently passed away after a
courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Yoran was a pioneering force in
cybersecurity from his early days at the United States Military Academy
at West Point and as an officer with the U.S. Air Force, to his years
as an entrepreneur and business executive, to his return to public
service as the founding Director of the U.S. Computer Emergency
Readiness Team (US-CERT) and the Nation's first Director of the
National Cybersecurity Division in the Department of Homeland Security.
As a leader, Mr. Yoran used his diverse experience to become a bridge
between the public and private sectors to improve our national
cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure. He was a born
leader, who believed in hard work, collaboration, and transparency as a
strategy for our collective success.
On behalf of Members and staff of the Committee on Homeland Security,
I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Amit's family, loved
ones, colleagues, friends, and the Tenable team--may his legacy live
on. I include in the Record the obituary of this man who made our
country a safer and better place.
amit yoran (1970-2025)
Amit Yoran, a pioneering force in cybersecurity, passed
away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 54 after a courageous
battle with cancer. A resident of Reston, VA, Amit was born
on December 1, 1970, in New York City to Shlomit Schonberger
and Chaim Yoran, the second of four children, with an older
brother Elad Yoran and younger brothers Dov Yoran and Ron
Schonberger.
He grew up predominantly in suburban New York, in Pound
Ridge, NY, and attended Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY,
where he excelled academically and athletically, playing on
both varsity football and wrestling teams.
Amit's remarkable journey continued at the United States
Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor of
Science degree, majoring in Computer Science. He served as
cadet captain and was beloved by his classmates.
After graduating, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air
Force, where he served as a computer security officer at the
Pentagon, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and
other locations within the Department of Defense. Amit's
early work in cybersecurity laid the groundwork for a
distinguished career that would shape the field for years to
come.
Amit earned a Master's degree in Computer Science from
George Washington University, studying with renowned
professors Lance Hoffman and Dorothy Denning.
Upon transitioning out of the Air Force, Amit began the
next phase of his professional life as an entrepreneur and
business executive in cybersecurity. He co-founded Riptech
with his brother Elad and friend Tim Belcher, where they
pioneered the field of network security analysis and managed
security services. Riptech's success led to its acquisition
by Symantec, where Amit served as Vice President.
Amit's commitment to public service saw him return to the
government as the founding Director of the U.S. Computer
Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and the Nation's first
Director of the National Cybersecurity Division in the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), appointed by President
George W. Bush.
Upon leaving government, Amit continued to innovate and
lead in the private sector. Together with his brothers Elad
and Dov, they have been referred to by many in the industry
as the First Family of Cybersecurity. As CEO of NetWitness,
Amit helped revolutionize the field of network investigations
and response. NetWitness's acquisition by RSA Security saw
Amit eventually becoming President of RSA, leading it through
acquisitions by EMC and then Dell. As CEO of Tenable, Amit
took the company public in a successful IPO in July 2018 and
served as Chairman and CEO until taking a leave of absence to
focus on his health.
Amit married Catherine Lotrionte, a Georgetown professor,
and together they raised three children, twins Hannah and
Josh, and Zoey. A dedicated father, Amit volunteered as a
little league football coach and an assistant coach for men's
and women's wrestling at Langley High School.
Amit was a giant in the cybersecurity industry. But even
more than his many professional accomplishments, Amit is
remembered as a deeply caring, dedicated and fun friend. He
touched countless people and made a difference in the lives
of everyone he touched.
Amit had an incredible sense of humor. He loved all sports,
Army football and the Dallas Cowboys in particular,
motorcycle riding with his friends and family, annual ski
trips with his cousins, working out, and above all else
spending time with friends and family and people he loved. As
busy as he was, Amit always seemed to have time to speak with
someone one-on-one, to understand what was troubling them and
to help them in whatever way he could. Amit was the best
friend anyone could have and we all believed and felt that he
was our best friend. Despite his many professional successes,
Amit never lost sense of who he was and his deep sense of
humility.
He is survived by his loving family: children Hannah, Josh,
and Zoey, wife Catherine Lotrionte Yoran, mother Shlomit
Schonberger, brothers Elad Yoran, Dov Yoran, and Ron
Schonberger, six nephews and nieces, cousins, and countless
friends and colleagues.
Amit's visionary leadership will continue to inspire and
guide the cybersecurity community and beyond. His legacy as a
caring, dedicated friend will be remembered by all who knew
him.
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