WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in multi-function security appliances, has announced it has named Prakash Panjwani its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and that he and interim CEO, Mike Kohlsdorf, will be joining its Board of Directors. Panjwani is a proven information security executive that has spent the last 12 years with SafeNet, a global leader in data protection. Before becoming the CEO of SafeNet, he was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the company’s rapidly growing Data Protection group.
“2014 was a record year for WatchGuard in terms of growth, product innovation, and industry awards. To keep that momentum going, we’re excited to announce Prakash Panjwani has joined the WatchGuard team as its new CEO,” said Kohlsdorf, an operating partner with Francisco Partners. “Prakash helped SafeNet grow from a small start-up to one of the industry’s leading data security companies. His keen understanding of the security space, combined with his leadership expertise will help ensure WatchGuard continues to deliver powerful security solutions to organisations around the world.”
While at SafeNet, Panjwani led the strategic acquisition of 12 companies including Aladdin Knowledge Systems and Cryptocard. He spearheaded the software division’s transformation from a copyright protection offering into a modern software monetisation platform. Panjwani also refocused the company’s data protection product portfolio on three rapidly growing markets – crypto management, data encryption, and authentication – and successfully executed against a highly aggressive product development and go-to-market plan. SafeNet was sold to Gemalto (Euronext: GTO) for US $890 million, a transaction that closed in January 2015.
“Threat management and network security continues to be top of mind for companies of all sizes. WatchGuard has built a great reputation in the industry as a leading provider of solutions in this space, bringing new products to market and receiving a tremendous amount of industry recognition in the process,” said Panjwani. “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic to take what Mike Kohlsdorf and his team have built over the last year. I am excited to build on that success, working with a talented WatchGuard team and established channel partner base, to deliver best-in-class security solutions to customers worldwide.”
Prior to SafeNet, Panjwani held various management positions at Certicom Corporation, Motorola Inc. and Telcordia (formerly Bellcore). You can view his entire profile on LinkedIn or on the WatchGuard website here.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. is a global leader of integrated, multi-function business security solutions that intelligently combine industry standard hardware, best-of-breed security features, and policy-based management tools. WatchGuard provides easy-to-use, but enterprise-powerful protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Wash. with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.
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