Cybersecurity
Engineering professionals in Cybersecurity
These ten engineering professionals lead or have led software engineering teams at cybersecurity companies, in areas such as endpoint protection, cloud security and SIEM. A reader can learn how security products are built and run, and which technical constraints shape their reliability, delivery and operating cost.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chris Eide
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering Ops · Nucleus Security
Director of Engineering Ops at Nucleus Security since 2024. The highlight describes over two decades in engineering leadership with expertise in DevSecOps and security compliance, and leading teams that developed and delivered products in vulnerability and breach intelligence. Also Managing Partner at Simplicity Services Group since 2022. Other listed roles include Director of Engineering at Stealth AI Startup (2024), Director of Engineering at Flashpoint (2021–2024) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Connexus Secure (2016–2021).
Deepak Anekal
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Software Engineering, Prisma Cloud · Palo Alto Networks
Former Vice President of Software Engineering, Prisma Cloud at Palo Alto Networks (2024). The highlight describes building and scaling R&D organizations at the intersection of enterprise security and AI, including teams in cloud security and identity security. Also Senior Vice President of Engineering at Saviynt since 2024. Other listed roles include Senior Director Of Engineering at Palo Alto Networks (2021–2024), Director of Engineering, Prisma Cloud Security at Palo Alto Networks (2018–2021) and Director Of Engineering at RedLock (2017–2021).
Ed Chang
LinkedInExperience: SVP of Engineering Cybersecurity Enterprise Software SaaS · Yubico
SVP of Engineering Cybersecurity Enterprise Software SaaS at Yubico since 2025. The highlight describes engineering management and team leadership experience across multiple domains in enterprise software. Other listed roles include VP of Engineering Cybersecurity Enterprise Software SaaS at Yubico (2021–2024), VP of Engineering Transformation Leader Cybersecurity HSM Key Management Agile at Utimaco (2021) and Director Of Engineering Cybersecurity Key Management Containers Cloud Native Agile at Utimaco (2019–2021).
Eric Birckelbaw
LinkedInExperience: Director of Software Engineering · CyberMaxx
Director of Software Engineering at CyberMaxx since 2025. The highlight describes architecting security tools for next-generation threat detection and response at CyberMaxx. Other listed roles include Director of Development Operations at Cybersafe Solutions a CyberMaxx Company (2024–2025), Lead Developer at Cybersafe Solutions a CyberMaxx Company (2021–2024), Security Engineer at Cybersafe Solutions a CyberMaxx Company (2018–2021) and Lab Technician at Joint Quantum Institute (2015–2018).
Kirby Koster
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Of Engineering - Endpoint Protection · CrowdStrike
Senior Director Of Engineering - Endpoint Protection at CrowdStrike since 2021. The highlight describes an engineering leader focused on building and delivering software products to customers. Other listed roles include Director of Engineering - Engine & Content Development at CrowdStrike (2018–2021), Senior Engineering Manager at CrowdStrike (2016–2018), Director of Software Engineering at RedBrick Health (2015–2016) and Director Engineering - Security Management at McAfee (2011–2015).
Phillip Boles
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Of Engineering, SIEM Analytics, Ingestion, Search · Securonix
Former Vice President Of Engineering, SIEM Analytics, Ingestion, Search at Securonix (2021–2022). The highlight describes leading engineering and product transformations, with a focus on cybersecurity and SaaS. Also Senior Vice President of Engineering at Sayari since 2026. Other listed roles include Head of Engineering at Armor Defense (2024–2026) and VP of Product Engineering, Analytics, Search, Detection Engineering, and Infrastructure at Securonix (2022–2024).
Raj Agrawal
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Software Engineering · Tenable
Senior Director of Software Engineering at Tenable since 2026. The highlight describes leading Tenable's enterprise-wide agentic AI transformation as Senior Director of Engineering, AI Platform. Also Director of Software Engineering at Tenable since 2025. Other listed roles include Senior Software Engineering Manager at Salesforce (2016–2025), Software Engineer at Oracle (2014–2016) and Software Engineer at Bank of America (2012–2014).
Ratnesh Pandey
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President of Engineering · Elpha Secure
Former Senior Vice President of Engineering at Elpha Secure (2025–2026). The highlight describes nearly two decades of hands-on experience designing, building and delivering end-to-end security solutions with more than 10M deployments. Also Official Member at Forbes Technology Council since 2024. Other listed roles include CPO & SVP of Engineering at Elpha Secure (2026), Vice President, Engineering at Elpha Secure (2024–2025) and Engineering Head - Cybersecurity at Elpha Secure (2022–2024).
Rizwan Merchant
LinkedInExperience: Sr Engineering Manager · Qualys
Former Sr Engineering Manager at Qualys (2016–2019). The highlight lists information security among the specialties, alongside network applications and protocols. Also VP of Engineering at Deepfactor is now part of Cisco since 2023. Other listed roles include Sr Director, Engineering at Deepfactor is now part of Cisco (2022–2023), Director of Engineering at Deepfactor is now part of Cisco (2019–2022) and Sr Software Engineer at Qualys (2007–2013).
Sandeep Chandu
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering · Palo Alto Networks
Former Director of Engineering at Palo Alto Networks (2016–2025). The highlight describes building and scaling large-scale SaaS and data platforms, with cyber security, distributed systems and ML-powered analytics listed as areas of focus. Also Head of Engineering at Kai since 2025. Other listed roles include Senior Software Engineer at American Express (2015–2016), Engineer at Pluribus Networks (2014–2015) and Engineer at Juniper Networks (2010–2014).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's product area, such as endpoint, cloud or identity security, to the decision you face, and check whether their security-company role is current or past. Ask them for one engineering trade-off they made on a security product and how customers felt its effects.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What technical choice on a security product most affected detection quality or false-positive rates, and would you make it again?
- 02How do you balance shipping new detection or protection features against reliability for customers who cannot afford downtime?
- 03Which parts of a security platform drive operating cost the most as data volumes grow, and how did you control them?
Reaching engineering professionals in Cybersecurity
How can I contact one of these engineering professionals in Cybersecurity?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Nucleus Security, Palo Alto Networks and Yubico, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach engineering professionals in Cybersecurity?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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