Nikesh Arora
Chief executive and chairman of Palo Alto Networks; former Google and SoftBank executive
| Nikesh Arora
| |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Technology executive |
| Known for | Chief executive and chairman of Palo Alto Networks since 2018 |
Nikesh Arora is a technology executive who has been chief executive and chairman of Palo Alto Networks since June 2018. He succeeded Mark McLaughlin. He was previously president and chief operating officer of SoftBank and chief business officer of Google.[1]
Israeli acquisitions
Arora has no reported Israeli military background. Under his leadership Palo Alto Networks, founded by Unit 8200 veteran Nir Zuk, has made Israel central to its growth. Ctech counted 12 Israeli acquisitions among Palo Alto's 24 significant deals since 2014. They included Demisto ($560 million), Talon Cyber Security ($625 million), CyberArk ($25 billion) and Koi ($400 million).[2] Many of the acquired companies were founded by former Israeli intelligence personnel. Drop Site News reported in 2025 that nearly half of Palo Alto's acquisitions "have involved companies with origins in Israeli intelligence".[3]
On a visit to Israel, Arora said: "I'm the one signing the checks, and if that weren't the case, we wouldn't have hired 750 people here in recent years." He added: "Israel is not the simplest country to operate, and not the easiest people. But it has some of the most passionate people, who can handle adversity better than most people in the world".[2]
See also
- Palo Alto Networks
- Nir Zuk
- CyberArk
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
Notes
- ↑ Palo Alto Networks, Palo Alto Networks Announces Record Revenues and Billings and Board Appoints Nikesh Arora as CEO and Chairman Palo Alto Networks, 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ctech, From Cyvera to Koi: How Israel became Palo Alto Networks' strategic core Ctech, 18 February 2026.
- ↑ Murtaza Hussain, Hundreds of Former Israeli Spies Are Working in Big Tech, Database Shows Drop Site News, 13 August 2025.