Issue 8 2021

4 CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2021 SonicWall Turns 30: Cybersecurity Pioneer Marks Three Decades of Innovation Cybersecurity veteran reflects on the vision, people, technology, customers and partners who shaped the company across three decades SonicWall announces its 30th anniversary as a cybersecurity industry leader. Throughout August, the company will celebrate its heritage, product innovation, channel DNA and the many cybersecurity innovators who have helped support and transform it into the SonicWall it is today. “Innovation and adaptability are key components to successfully evolving cybersecurity strategy through the ebb and flow of the fast-moving threat landscape,” said SonicWall President and CEO Bill Conner. “SonicWall has proven across three decades that its mission is securing the long-term success of its customers, partners and employees. While the last five years were important chapters in this journey, we have more goals to achieve, milestones to mark and history to be made. SonicWall is always forward-looking. And that’s how the company — and its people — has been a mainstay in the industry for more than 30 years.” To commemorate this milestone achievement, the company will honor long-term employees and celebrate those who have deep tenure. Throughout the month of August, SonicWall will feature pictures from the company, people, products, partners and customers over the course of three decades via the #SonicWall30 social media campaign. Throwback Thursdays will be reserved for contests and stories depicting SonicWall’s past and future. The SonicWall story Founded in 1991 by brothers Sreekanth and Sudhakar Ravi as Sonic Systems, a provider of networking solutions for Apple computers, the company’s focus was to provide organizations of all sizes with firewall technology that was as affordable as it was effective. The first security appliance for small- to mid-sized businesses (SMB) — the Interpol –— was released in October 1997 and shortly thereafter renamed ‘SonicWALL’ in 1998. One year later, the company issued its initial public offering (IPO) and was rebranded SonicWALL. After being held by private equity firm Thoma Bravo and sold to Dell in 2012, the company rebranded as ‘SonicWall’ in 2016 and now resides as part of Francisco Partners’ portfolio.