[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.

                          ____________________