Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, founded in 2005 by Nir Zuk, is a multinational cybersecurity company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Zuk, who previously worked at Check Point and co-founded NetScreen Technologies, developed the next-generation firewall (NGFW) to move beyond port-based blocking and identify applications, users, and content. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2012 under the ticker PANW, raising roughly $260 million.

Today, Palo Alto Networks protects over 70,000 organizations across more than 150 countries, including 85 of the Fortune 100. Its platform spans network security (Strata), cloud security (Prisma), and AI-driven security operations (Cortex). The company also operates Unit 42, a threat research division that publishes intelligence and tracks global cyber threats. In June 2018, Nikesh Arora, a former Google and SoftBank executive, became Chairman and CEO, steering the company toward a platform-based, AI-centric strategy.

The company's latest PAN-OS 12.2 'Ceres' release introduced advanced virtual patching powered by Unit 42's AI, addressing vulnerabilities faster than traditional patch cycles. Palo Alto Networks also entered the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange's TA-35 and TA-125 indices in 2025, reflecting its global investor base. The company partners with the World Economic Forum on cybersecurity policy and hosts the Ignite conference. [edit]