Benny Porat is an Israeli entrepreneur, cybersecurity specialist, and tech executive, born on January 1, 1972. He served as an Intelligence Officer in elite units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including Unit 8200, where he gained extensive experience in cyber intelligence, threat analysis, and cyber operations. After his military service, Porat transitioned into the private sector, leveraging his expertise in cybersecurity. In 2015, he co-founded Claroty, a prominent industrial cybersecurity firm specializing in operational technology (OT) security and industrial control systems. He currently serves as both Co-Founder and Head of Research at Claroty (with Source A noting his CEO role, which may be an additional or past responsibility). Claroty focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats through solutions for visibility, segmentation, and threat detection in industrial environments, bridging IT and OT security and addressing vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Under his leadership, Claroty has grown into a leader in the cybersecurity sector, securing substantial venture capital investments, expanding globally with offices in New York and Tel Aviv, and serving sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and utilities. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Porat holds an academic position as a Professor, contributing to cybersecurity education and research. His professional network includes co-founders Nadav Zafrir and Lior Div, with backing from investors like Yoav Leitersdorf, and affiliations with Team8, an Israeli venture builder focused on cybersecurity startups, as well as collaborations with international entities such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Porat has been profiled in media outlets like TechCrunch and Dark Reading, and he has spoken at events such as the Cybertech Conference. His background exemplifies Israel's 'Startup Nation' model, where military expertise translates to entrepreneurial success, and he remains active in Israel's tech ecosystem, contributing to Claroty's research and development while influencing cybersecurity strategies. His background as an IDF veteran and co-founder underscores his influence in global cybersecurity networks, particularly in bridging military intelligence with commercial applications.