Cato Networks Taps Ex-Palo Alto Executive to Drive AI-Era Security Push
Event summary
- Cato Networks appointed Chad Gardner as Chief Revenue Officer on October 7, 2026.
- Gardner brings over 20 years of global sales leadership in cybersecurity, cloud, and networking.
- He previously held leadership roles at Palo Alto Networks, Netskope, and other enterprise tech firms.
- Gardner will lead Cato's global revenue organization to scale go-to-market execution.
- Cato positions itself as a converged network and security cloud for the AI era.
The big picture
Cato Networks' appointment of Chad Gardner underscores the growing convergence of networking and security in the AI era. As enterprises modernize their infrastructure, Gardner's extensive experience in SASE and cybersecurity positions Cato to capitalize on this trend. The move signals Cato's intent to strengthen its market position against competitors like Palo Alto Networks and Netskope, particularly in securing AI adoption.
What we're watching
- SASE Market Dynamics
- How Gardner's experience in SASE sales will accelerate Cato's market penetration.
- AI Security Adoption
- Whether Cato can sustain its lead in securing AI-driven enterprise environments.
- Revenue Scaling
- The pace at which Cato can expand its global revenue organization under Gardner's leadership.
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