Palo Alto Networks
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Public | |
Traded as |
NYSE: PANW Russell 1000 Component |
Industry |
Network security Cybersecurity[1] Cloud Computing[2] |
Founded | 2005 |
Headquarters | Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
Nikesh Arora (CEO) Nir Zuk (Co-founder and CTO) Rajiv Batra (Co-founder and VP) |
Revenue |
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Total assets |
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Total equity |
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Number of employees |
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Website |
www |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (abbreviated as PAN or PANW) is an American multinational cybersecurity company with headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Its core products are a platform that includes advanced firewalls and cloud-based offerings that extend those firewalls to cover other aspects of security. The company serves 50,000+ organizations in 150+ countries, including 85 of the Fortune 100[5], and is listed 15th in the Fortune Future 50 Challengers list[6]. It is home to the Unit 42 threat research team[7] and hosts the Ignite cybersecurity conference[8]. In June 2018, former Google and SoftBank executive Nikesh Arora joined the company as Chairman and CEO.[9]
Palo Alto Network's mission statement is "to protect our way of life in the digital age by preventing successful cyberattacks".[5]
History
Palo Alto Networks was founded in 2005 by Israeli-American Nir Zuk,[10] a former engineer from Check Point and NetScreen Technologies, and was the principal developer of the first stateful inspection firewall and the first intrusion prevention system.[11] When asked why he started Palo Alto Networks, Zuk cited his objective of solving a problem enterprises were facing with existing network security solutions: the inability to safely enable employees to use modern applications, which entailed developing a firewall that could identify and provide fine-grained control of applications.[12]
The company produced and shipped its first firewall in 2007.[13] It debuted on the NYSE in July 20, 2012, raising $260 million with its initial public offering.[14][15]
In 2014, Palo Alto Networks founded the Cyber Threat Alliance with Fortinet, Mcafee, and Symantec, a not-for-profit organization with the goal of improving cybersecurity "for the greater good" by encouraging collaboration between cybersecurity organizations by sharing cyber threat intelligence amongst members.[16][17] By 2018, the organization had 17 members including Cisco, Check Point, Juniper Networks, and Sophos.[18]
In 2017, Palo Alto Networks announced Logging Service, a cloud-based service allowing customers to amass their own data for machine learning and data analytics.[19]
In 2018, the company began opening dedicated cybersecurity training facilities around the world as part of the Global Cyber Range Initiative.[20]
In May 2018, the company announced Application Framework, an open cloud-delivered ecosystem where developers can publish security services as SaaS applications that can be instantly delivered to the company's network of customers.[2]
In June 2018, former Google and SoftBank executive Nikesh Arora joined the company as chairman and CEO.[9] His predecessor, Mark McLaughlin, became vice chairman of the board of directors. Arora received a pay package worth about $128 million, making him one of the highest paid executives in the United States.[21]
Technology
In 2009, the company released a publication defining the "next-generation firewall."[22] Palo Alto Networks defined this next generation firewall as containing application awareness, full stack visibility, extra-firewall intelligence, and upgrade paths in addition to the full capabilities of both traditional firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Additionally, the company defines its firewall technology by the following abilities:
- Identify applications regardless of port, protocol, evasive tactic or Secure Sockets Layer
- Identify and control users regardless of IP address, location or device
- Protect against known and unknown application-borne threats
- Fine-grained visibility and policy control over application access/functionality
- Multi-gigabit, low latency, in-line deployment[23]
Products
Palo Alto Networks offers a Security Operating Platform which provides network security, cloud security, advanced endpoint protection, and various cloud-delivered security services through Application Framework. Components of the Security Operating Platform include (but is not limited to)[24]:
- Next-generation firewalls, offered in multiple forms including[25]:
- As a physical appliance through the PA series, which includes small form-factor firewalls such as the PA-220 for small business and offices, to the PA-7000 series built for large enterprises and service providers.
- As a virtualized appliance through the VM series, allowing the firewall to be run as a virtual machine to secure virtualized data centers and private clouds. It is also compatible with public cloud environments such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
- As a streamlined cloud service provided by Palo Alto Networks through GlobalProtect Cloud Service.
- Panorama, a network security control center that allows customers to manage a fleet of firewalls at an enterprise scale from a single console[26].
- Traps™ advanced endpoint protection. Unlike a traditional antivirus, Traps does not rely on signatures to detect malware. Instead, it focuses on analyzing the behavior of programs to detect zero-day exploits. Threat intelligence is shared with and obtained from Wildfire.[27]
- Wildfire, a cloud-based threat-analysis service which uses dynamic analysis, static analysis, machine learning, and bare-metal analysis to discover and prevent unknown threats.[28].
- Logging Service, a cloud-delivered service that enables customers to collect large volumes of log data from their network for machine learning, data analytics, or use by apps in the Application Framework.[29]
- Application Framework, an open cloud-delivered ecosystem where customers can subscribe to security applications developed by 3rd-party developers or Palo Alto Networks, such as Magnifier™ behavior analytics and AutoFocus™ threat intelligence[30].
Acquisitions
- Morta Security was acquired for an undisclosed sum in January 2014[31][32]
- Cyvera was acquired for approximately $200 million in April 2014[33][34]
- CirroSecure was acquired for an undisclosed sum in May 2015[35]
- LightCyber was acquired for approximately $100 million in March 2017 [36]
- Evident.io was acquired for $300 million in cash in March 2018 [37]
- Secdo was acquired for a undisclosed sum in April 2018 [38]
- RedLock was acquired for $173 million in October 2018 [39]
Recognition
Recognition from industry analysts and labs for Palo Alto Networks firewalls include:
- The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Gartner Magic Quadrant identified Palo Alto Networks as a leader in the enterprise firewall.[40]
- NetworkWorld granted short list status to Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls in its next-generation firewall review in 2011 and 2012.[41]
- NSS Labs rated Palo Alto Networks firewalls “Recommended” in 3 network security tests:
- IPS Group Test (2011) in which NSS Labs notes it exceeded datasheet performance[42]
- Traditional Firewall Group Test (2011); additionally, evaluated as best cost solution per protected megabit[42]
- Next-Generation Firewall Group Test (2012) also receiving an evaluation as best cost solution per protected megabit[43]
References
- ↑ PCmag (2018-01-26). "Millions of PCs targeted by cryptocurrency-mining malware". Fox News. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
- 1 2 "Application Framework - Palo Alto Networks". paloaltonetworks.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "PANW Income Statement - Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Stock". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ↑ PCmag (2018). "Palo Alto Networks SEC Filings". Fox News. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- 1 2 "About Us - Palo Alto Networks". paloaltonetworks.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ↑ "The Fortune Future 50". fortune.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ↑ "Unit 42 Twitter". twitter.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- ↑ "Ignite Conference Twitter". twitter.com. 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
- 1 2 "What to Expect of Google and Softbank Star Nikesh Arora, Palo Alto Network's New CEO". fortune.com. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
- ↑ Blacharski, Dan (2010-04-05). "How I Got Here: Nir Zuk, CTO, Palo Alto Networks". ITworld. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
- ↑ Leyden, John (22 October 2010). "US and UK gov cyber defences = big boys' trough-slurp". The Register. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "The Entrepreneur Questionnaire: Nir Zuk, Founder and CTO of Palo Alto Networks". Greylock Partners. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Vance, Ashlee (20 October 2011). "Building a Firewall for the Facebook Generation". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Savitz, Eric (20 July 2012). "Kayak, Palo Alto Networks IPOs Off To Strong Debuts". Forbes. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Owens, Jeremy (20 July 2012). "Palo Alto Networks stunning IPO a good sign for some tech niches". Mercury News. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ↑ Albanesius, Chloe (February 13, 2015). "Obama Wants Tech Firms to Alert Feds to Cyber Threats". PC Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Who We Are - Cyber Threat Alliance". Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Membership - Cyber Threat Alliance". Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks Announces Availability of New Cloud-Based Logging Service". markets.businessinsider. 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
- ↑ Aasha Bodhani, ITP Net. "Palo Alto Networks introduces global Cyber Range initiative." Jan 16, 2018. Retrieved Feb 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Ex-SoftBank COO Awarded $128 Million to Lead Palo Alto Networks". Bloomberg. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
- ↑ Pescatore, John; Young, Greg, Defining the Next Generation Firewall (PDF), retrieved 2 December 2012
- ↑ Next-Generation Firewall Overview (PDF), 2011, retrieved 2 December 2012
- ↑ "Security Operating Platform - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Next-Generation Firewalls - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Panorama - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Traps - Advanced Endpoint Protection - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Wildfire Malware Analysis - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ↑ "Logging Service - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Application Framework - Palo Alto Networks". 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ Rao, Leena (6 January 2014). "Palo Alto Networks Buys Cyber Security Startup Founded By Former NSA Engineers, Morta". TechCrunch. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks® Acquires Morta Security". Palo Alto Networks. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Rao, Leena (24 March 2014). "Palo Alto Networks Buys Cyber Security Company Cyvera For $200M". TechCrunch. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks® Completes Acquisition of Cyvera". Palo Alto Networks. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ King, Rachel (27 May 2015). "Palo Alto Networks acquires cybersecurity company CirroSecure". Zdnet. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks acquires LightCyber".
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks Closes Acquisition of Evident.io". Palo Alto Networks. Mar 26, 2018.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks Closes Acquisition of Secdo". Palo Alto Networks. Apr 24, 2018.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks to acquire RedLock for $173 M to beef up cloud security". TechCrunch. October 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks Hits The Magic Quadrant For Firewalls". The Wall Street Journal. December 16, 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ↑ Snyder, Joel (22 August 2011). "Palo Alto earns short list status". Network World. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- 1 2 "Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls Earns "Recommended" Rating in NSS Labs Network Firewall 2011 Comparative Test". Palo Alto Networks. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "Palo Alto Networks Earns 'Recommended' Rating in NSS Labs' Next-Generation Firewall Group Test". Palo Alto Networks. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2014.