Cyber Security Founders to Watch in 2025 - Senior Executive
Nov 2024

Top Cyber Security Founders To Watch in 2025

Presented by Forbes Technology Council in collaboration with Senior Executive Media, this Top 33 Cybersecurity Founders to Watch in 2025 list highlights visionary founders who are driving innovation in cybersecurity and reshaping digital security across industries.

See The List

Copied to clipboard.

Presented by Forbes Technology Council in collaboration with Senior Executive Media, this Top Cybersecurity Founders to Watch in 2025 list highlights 33 cybersecurity founders who are shaping the future of digital security across industries. These founders are the driving forces behind advanced security solutions, addressing critical challenges in data protection, threat mitigation, and cybersecurity infrastructure at a time when online safety has never been more essential.

Strong, visionary leadership is crucial in the fast-paced cybersecurity sector, where agility, innovation, and proactive defense are critical. The founders on this list are pioneering technologies in areas like software development, computer and network security, IT and services, and data encryption. These leaders have also recently secured significant funding, allowing them to accelerate their research, expand operations, and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats—setting them apart as the industry’s forward-thinkers.

From emerging startups to fast-growing cybersecurity firms, the funding these leaders have received has allowed them to tackle some of the most complex issues in data security today. Their work safeguards businesses and lays the foundation for long-term resilience in sectors ranging from finance and healthcare to e-commerce and government.

As a publisher focused on spotlighting leaders who drive innovation, Senior Executive Media curates exclusive lists to recognize individuals who exemplify leadership in cybersecurity, foster valuable industry connections, and reveal trends that are transforming digital protection.

Forbes Technology Council is a vetted professional organization for senior-level technology executives. Its members include some of the country’s most influential cybersecurity leaders. Members are selected for their demonstrated expertise, impact, and commitment to advancing cybersecurity—qualities embodied by the individuals on this prestigious list.

Please contact Senior Executive Media’s editorial team here to suggest an update to the information on this list or recommend a cybersecurity founder making an impact in the industry.

Tech Pulse is a free, weekly newsletter with insights from esteemed members of Forbes Technology Council delivered straight to your inbox. Get the latest insights on emerging topics in the technology industry, including AI, cybersecurity, DevOps, data privacy, and more.

Sign up free to receive the Tech Pulse newsletter every week.

Something is wrong, Please try again later.
Thank you for subscribing!

Top Cyber Security Founders To Watch in 2025

Greg Anderson

Greg Anderson

With 11-50 employees, Defectdojo stands out in the Computer and Network Security industry. Greg Anderson leads as CEO, contributing to the company’s success from their office in Austin, Texas.

  • Defectdojo
  • CEO
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 11-50
Jadee Hanson

Jadee Hanson

Jadee Hanson holds the role of CISO at Vanta, a company with 501-1000 employees in the Software Development sector. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States, the company is recognized for its impactful work.

  • Vanta
  • CISO
  • Software Development
  • 501-1000
Lillian Ablon

Lillian Ablon

Operating from Santa Monica, California, Ring has 1001-5000 employees. Lillian Ablon, Senior Security Manager, is responsible for leading the company’s advancements in the Computers & electronics sector.

  • Ring
  • Senior Security Manager
  • Computers & electronics
  • 1001-5000
Feross Aboukhadijeh

Feross Aboukhadijeh

With 11-50 employees, Socket stands out in the Computer & network security industry. Feross Aboukhadijeh leads as Founder and CEO, contributing to the company’s success from their office in Stanford, California.

  • Socket
  • Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11-50
Itzik Alvas

Itzik Alvas

As the leader at Entro, Itzik Alvas manages a team of 11- 50 employees in the Computer & network security sector. The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, continues to make strides in its field.

  • Entro
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11- 50
Gil Barak

Gil Barak

As the leader at Blink Ops, Gil Barak manages a team of 51- 200 employees in the Information technology & services sector. The company, based in Austin, Texas, continues to make strides in its field.

  • Blink Ops
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Information technology & services
  • 51- 200
Paige S. Barry

Paige S. Barry

As the leader at DefenseStorm, Paige S. Barry manages a team of 51-200 employees in the Computer & network security sector. The company, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, continues to make strides in its field.

  • DefenseStorm
  • Vice President Strategic Partnerships
  • Computer & network security
  • 51-200
Vrajesh Bhavsar

Vrajesh Bhavsar

Operating from San Francisco, California, Operant has 1- 10 employees. Vrajesh Bhavsar, Co-founder and CEO, is responsible for leading the company’s advancements in the Information technology & services sector.

  • Operant
  • Co-founder and CEO
  • Information technology & services
  • 1- 10
Brian Carbaugh

Brian Carbaugh

As the leader at Andesite AI, Brian Carbaugh manages a team of 11- 50 employees in the Computer & network security sector. The company, based in Mclean, Virginia, continues to make strides in its field.

  • Andesite AI
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11- 50
Rom Carmel

Rom Carmel

Leading the efforts at Apono, Rom Carmel serves as Cofounder and CEO, steering the company’s growth in the Software Development industry. The company, based in New York, New York, has 11-50 employees.

  • Apono
  • Cofounder and CEO
  • Software Development
  • 11-50
Abhishek Dubey

Abhishek Dubey

Abhishek Dubey is CEO & Co-Founder of Bolster AI, a Computer and Network Security company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. With a team of 51-200 employees, the company is a prominent player in its field.

  • Bolster AI
  • CEO & Co-Founder
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 51-200
David Goldschlag

David Goldschlag

Leading the efforts at Aembit, David Goldschlag serves as CEO & Co-founder, steering the company’s growth in the Computer and Network Security industry. The company, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, has 11-50 employees.

  • Aembit
  • CEO & Co-founder
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 11-50
David Haber

David Haber

Operating from San Francisco, California, Lakera AI has 51-200 employees. David Haber, CEO & Co-Founder, is responsible for leading the company’s advancements in the Software Development sector.

  • Lakera AI
  • CEO & Co-Founder
  • Software Development
  • 51-200
Louise Ireland

Louise Ireland

As Co-Founder, President of Metabase Q, Louise Ireland plays a critical role in overseeing initiatives in the Computer and Network Security space. The company, located in San Francisco, California, employs 51-200 professionals.

  • Metabase Q
  • Co-Founder, President
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 51-200
Josh Kamdjou

Josh Kamdjou

Sublime Security is a key player in the Computer & network security industry with 11- 50 employees. As Co-Founder and CEO, Josh Kamdjou oversees company strategy from their headquarters in Washington, District of Columbia.

  • Sublime Security
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11- 50
Lisa Kaplan

Lisa Kaplan

Lisa Kaplan holds the role of Founder and CEO at Alethea, a company with 51- 200 employees in the Technology, information and internet sector. Headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, the company is recognized for its impactful work.

  • Alethea
  • Founder and CEO
  • Technology, information and internet
  • 51- 200
Yasir Khalid

Yasir Khalid

Yasir Khalid, Founder and CEO of StrikeReady, drives the vision for a company in the Computer & network security industry. Based in Palo Alto, California, the company employs 51- 200 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • StrikeReady
  • Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 51- 200
Amir Khayat

Amir Khayat

As CEO & Co-Founder of Vorlon, Amir Khayat plays a critical role in overseeing initiatives in the Computer and Network Security space. The company, located in Mountain View, California, employs 11-50 professionals.

  • Vorlon
  • CEO & Co-Founder
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 11-50
Jacob Moshenko

Jacob Moshenko

Jacob Moshenko, Co-Founder & CEO of AuthZed, drives the vision for a company in the Software Development industry. Based in New York, New York, the company employs 11-50 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • AuthZed
  • Co-Founder & CEO
  • Software Development
  • 11-50
Huzeyfe Onal

Huzeyfe Onal

Huzeyfe Onal holds the role of Co-Founder and CEO at SOCRadar, a company with 101- 250 employees in the Computer & network security sector. Headquartered in Middletown, Delaware, United States, the company is recognized for its impactful work.

  • SOCRadar
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 101- 250
Alastair Paterson

Alastair Paterson

Alastair Paterson, CEO and co-founder of Harmonic Security, drives the vision for a company in the Technology, Information and Internet industry. Based in San Francisco, California, the company employs 11-50 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • Harmonic Security
  • CEO and co-founder
  • Technology, Information and Internet
  • 11-50
Chris Pierson

Chris Pierson

Chris Pierson holds the role of Founder & CEO at BlackCloak, a company with 51-200 employees in the Computer and Network Security sector. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United states, the company is recognized for its impactful work.

  • BlackCloak
  • Founder & CEO
  • Computer and Network Security
  • 51-200
Emanuel Salmona

Emanuel Salmona

Operating from New York, New York, Nagomi Security has 11- 50 employees. Emanuel Salmona, Co-Founder and CEO, is responsible for leading the company’s advancements in the Computer & network security sector.

  • Nagomi Security
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11- 50
Joe Saunders

Joe Saunders

Joe Saunders, Founder and CEO of RunSafe Security, drives the vision for a company in the Computer & network security industry. Based in Mclean, Virginia, the company employs 11-50 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • RunSafe Security
  • Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11-50
Jose Seara

Jose Seara

Leading the efforts at DeNexus, Jose Seara serves as Founder & CEO, steering the company’s growth in the Technology, Information and Internet industry. The company, based in Boston, Massachusetts, has 11-50 employees.

  • DeNexus
  • Founder & CEO
  • Technology, Information and Internet
  • 11-50
Marina Segal

Marina Segal

Marina Segal holds the role of Co-founder and CEO at Tamnoon, a company with 11-50 employees in the Computer & network security sector. Headquartered in Sammamish, Washington, United States, the company is recognized for its impactful work.

  • Tamnoon
  • Co-founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11-50
Eric Styles

Eric Styles

As the leader at YourSix, Eric Styles manages a team of 51- 200 employees in the Computer & network security sector. The company, based in Roseville, Michigan, continues to make strides in its field.

  • YourSix
  • CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 51- 200
Ian Swanson

Ian Swanson

As Founder and CEO of Protect AI, Ian Swanson plays a critical role in overseeing initiatives in the Computer & network security space. The company, located in Seattle, Washington, employs 51- 100 professionals.

  • Protect AI
  • Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 51- 100
Wendy Thomas

Wendy Thomas

Secureworks is a key player in the Computer & network security industry with 1001-5000 employees. As CEO, Wendy Thomas oversees company strategy from their headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • Secureworks
  • CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 1001-5000
Eli Wachs

Eli Wachs

Eli Wachs, Co-Founder + CEO of Footprint, drives the vision for a company in the Software Development industry. Based in New York, New York, the company employs 11-50 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • Footprint
  • Co-Founder + CEO
  • Software Development
  • 11-50
James Winebrenner

James Winebrenner

As CEO of Elisity, James Winebrenner plays a critical role in overseeing initiatives in the Computer & network security space. The company, located in San Jose, California, employs 51- 200 professionals.

  • Elisity
  • CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 51- 200
Edward Wu

Edward Wu

Edward Wu, Founder and CEO of Dropzone AI, drives the vision for a company in the Computer & network security industry. Based in Seattle, Washington, the company employs 11- 50 people and continues to thrive under their leadership.

  • Dropzone AI
  • Founder and CEO
  • Computer & network security
  • 11- 50
Al Yang

Al Yang

As the leader at SafeBase, Al Yang manages a team of 51- 200 employees in the Information technology & services sector. The company, based in San Francisco, California, continues to make strides in its field.

  • SafeBase
  • Co-Founder and CEO
  • Information technology & services
  • 51- 200