Rahul Kashyap

When you're building a cybersecurity company, you quickly learn that the difference between a good idea and a successful company often comes down to execution at scale. That's why having Rahul Kashyap as an advisor feels like having access to a proven playbook for building and scaling security companies. Here's someone who has not just built one successful cybersecurity company, but has been part of multiple successful exits and continues to lead at the highest levels of the industry.

Rahul's journey reads like a masterclass in cybersecurity entrepreneurship. He co-founded Awake Security and served as its CEO, scaling the company through a successful exit in 2020 when it was acquired by Arista Networks. Today, he serves as VP/GM & CISO at Arista, leading the global NDR platform integration. This isn't just experience, it's a proven track record of building companies that get acquired by industry leaders.

The Scaling Expert

What makes Rahul's experience so valuable to us is his deep understanding of what it takes to scale a cybersecurity company from startup to successful exit. His career arc shows a systematic progression through some of the most respected names in security: Cylance (acquired by BlackBerry), Bromium, and McAfee. Each stage added depth across product development, research, and operational scale.

When we're thinking about how to scale our platform and expand our market presence, Rahul's insights are invaluable. He understands not just how to build products that work, but how to build products that scale, how to create go-to-market strategies that drive growth, and how to position a company for successful acquisition. This isn't theoretical knowledge, it's hard-won experience from building and exiting companies in the most competitive market in technology.

NDR & AI-Powered Detection Expertise

Rahul's work integrating Awake Security into Arista's global NDR platform gives him unique insights into the future of network detection and response. His experience with AI-powered threat detection at Cylance and his current role leading Arista's security business provide him with a comprehensive understanding of how AI is transforming cybersecurity.

This expertise directly influences how we think about our threat detection capabilities. He understands the technical challenges of building AI-powered security solutions, the operational requirements of running them at scale, and the market dynamics that determine their success. His insights help us make better decisions about our technology roadmap and product strategy.

Strategic Product Leadership

Rahul's experience as VP & GM, Products at Cylance and his senior leadership roles at Bromium and McAfee give him deep insights into product-market fit in cybersecurity. He understands what enterprise customers need from their security providers, how to build products that meet those needs, and how to create sustainable competitive advantages.

His product leadership experience has directly influenced how we think about our enterprise solutions. He knows what it takes to build products that enterprise customers will actually buy and deploy, how to create the kind of user experience that drives adoption, and how to maintain the operational rigor required to serve large organizations.

Enterprise-Centric & Zero-Trust Insights

Rahul's presence at high-level industry events, including his participation in CEO-level roundtables on zero-trust with companies like Zscaler and CrowdStrike at the NYSE, gives him unique insights into the future of enterprise security. He understands the strategic direction of the industry and the technologies that will shape it.

His thought leadership around zero-trust architectures and enterprise security helps us understand where the market is heading and how we should position our solutions. He sees the convergence of network security, endpoint protection, and identity management happening in real-time, and his insights help us make informed decisions about our product strategy.

Brand & Ecosystem Amplification

Rahul's presence at major industry events, including Arista's Innovate 2021 event alongside Richard Clarke and Elena Kvochko, and his role as a panelist at the IMAGEXX 2023 Summit, gives him significant influence in the cybersecurity ecosystem. His reputation and connections open doors for Bloo in markets and partnerships that would otherwise be difficult to access.

His ability to represent companies at the highest levels of industry discourse helps us build credibility and visibility in the market. When Rahul speaks about cybersecurity, people listen, and his association with Bloo enhances our reputation and opens opportunities for partnerships and customer relationships.

Why This Matters for Our Customers

When I talk to customers about Bloo's approach to security, I often reference the lessons we've learned from Rahul. The importance of building products that actually solve real problems. The value of creating solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise infrastructure. The need to maintain the highest levels of operational excellence and customer support.

His experience with enterprise customers has directly influenced how we think about our managed detection services. He understands what large organizations need from their security providers, how to build the kind of trust that leads to long-term partnerships, and how to create the operational excellence required to serve enterprise customers.

Looking Forward

As we continue to scale our platform and expand our market presence, Rahul's guidance becomes even more valuable. His experience with building and exiting cybersecurity companies provides a roadmap for our own growth journey. His insights into the future of AI and enterprise security help us position ourselves for long-term success.

What I've learned from working with him is that successful cybersecurity companies aren't built overnight. They require vision, trust, and relentless execution. Rahul embodies this combination, and his influence on Bloo extends far beyond technical advice.

Rahul Kashyap has been that kind of advisor for Bloo. His real strength? He doesn't just build companies, he builds entire ecosystems with vision, trust, and relentless execution.