Assaf Rappaport is a name making waves in the tech and cybersecurity world. As the CEO and co-founder of Wiz, one of the fastest-growing cloud security companies in history, he has become a key figure in shaping how businesses protect their digital assets. But his story doesn’t start there. From humble beginnings in Israel to leading major projects at Microsoft and now building a billion-dollar startup, Assaf Rappaport’s journey is inspiring. In this article, we will explore his life, career, and vision for the future.
Assaf Rappaport Early Life and Education
Assaf Rappaport was born in 1984 in Israel. Growing up in a small town near Tel Aviv, he was fascinated by technology from a young age. Like many kids in Israel, he was surrounded by innovation, as the country has a strong startup culture and a focus on science and technology.
As a teenager, Rappaport spent hours tinkering with computers, building his first software programs while still in high school. After finishing his mandatory military service in Unit 8200, an elite Israeli intelligence unit known for producing tech entrepreneurs, he pursued higher education. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and later a Master’s in Computer Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, one of Israel’s top universities. These years shaped his technical expertise and entrepreneurial mindset.
Career Start – From Student to Innovator
After graduation, Rappaport co-founded a startup called Adallom in 2012 with his colleagues Ami Luttwak and Roy Reznik. The company focused on cloud security, a field that was just beginning to explode as more organizations moved their operations to the cloud.
Adallom’s innovative approach to cloud access security attracted attention quickly. The company developed tools that could detect suspicious behavior in cloud services like Office 365 and Salesforce, helping businesses protect sensitive data. This early work set the foundation for Rappaport’s reputation as a forward-thinking cybersecurity leader.
Time at Microsoft
In 2015, Microsoft acquired Adallom for approximately $320 million. This acquisition was a huge milestone for Rappaport and his team, as it brought their technology and expertise into one of the largest tech companies in the world.
As part of the acquisition, Rappaport joined Microsoft and took on leadership roles within the company’s Cloud Security division. His impact at Microsoft was significant, helping the tech giant strengthen its security offerings in the rapidly growing cloud market.
What Did Assaf Rappaport Do at Microsoft?
At Microsoft, Rappaport led the development of key cloud security products. He became the General Manager of Microsoft’s Israeli Research and Development center, overseeing more than 1,000 engineers. Under his leadership, Microsoft expanded its cloud security solutions, integrating Adallom’s technology into products like Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS).
His team worked on advanced threat detection, compliance tools, and security analytics to help enterprises manage risk in their cloud environments. Rappaport’s ability to bridge technical innovation with business strategy made him a standout leader at Microsoft.
Why Was His Work Important?
Cloud computing was growing fast, but security was a major concern for enterprises. Rappaport’s contributions at Microsoft provided organizations with tools to monitor and secure their cloud infrastructure. This work protected millions of users and gave businesses confidence to adopt cloud technologies more aggressively.
Founding Wiz – A Big Step
After nearly four years at Microsoft, Rappaport decided it was time for a new challenge. In early 2020, he co-founded Wiz with Ami Luttwak, Yinon Costica, and Roy Reznik – the same team from Adallom. The goal was ambitious: to revolutionize cloud security by creating a solution that was faster, simpler, and more effective than anything on the market.
Assaf Rappaport as Wiz CEO
As CEO of Wiz, Rappaport has led the company through explosive growth. Wiz helps organizations secure their cloud environments by providing deep visibility into risks and vulnerabilities. The platform scans cloud infrastructure without needing agents or complex installations, making it highly scalable and easy to use.
Under his leadership, Wiz has attracted top clients, including Fortune 100 companies. Within just a few years, the company achieved “unicorn” status, valued at over $1 billion, and later reached a valuation of $10 billion, making it one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity startups ever.
What Is Wiz?
Wiz is a cloud security platform designed to help businesses identify and fix security risks in their cloud environments. It works across major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and others. By scanning workloads and configurations without requiring agents, Wiz delivers a complete picture of security posture.
Unlike traditional security tools that are often slow and complicated, Wiz focuses on simplicity and speed. It detects vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, malware, and secrets in cloud workloads, helping security teams prioritize and respond effectively.
Why Is Wiz Growing So Fast?
Several factors explain Wiz’s meteoric rise:
- Innovation: Wiz solved problems that traditional tools couldn’t, making it attractive to modern cloud-first companies.
- Speed and Scalability: The platform scans entire cloud environments in minutes.
- Strong Leadership: Rappaport’s experience and vision attract talent and investors.
- Market Demand: With more companies moving to the cloud, the need for advanced security solutions has never been higher.
Awards and Achievements
Assaf Rappaport and Wiz have received numerous accolades. Forbes included Wiz in its “Cloud 100” list, and Rappaport has been recognized as one of the most influential figures in cybersecurity. The company’s rapid growth and innovation continue to earn industry awards and customer praise.
Personal Life of Assaf Rappaport
Outside of work, Rappaport is known for his down-to-earth personality. He lives in Tel Aviv with his family and is passionate about mentoring young entrepreneurs. He often speaks about the importance of balancing professional success with family life and community involvement.
The Future Vision of Assaf Rappaport
Rappaport envisions a world where cloud security is seamless and accessible to organizations of all sizes. He is passionate about democratizing cybersecurity, making advanced protection available not just to large corporations but also to smaller businesses and startups. His leadership at Wiz reflects this vision, with continuous innovation aimed at simplifying complex security challenges.
Career Journey of Assaf Rappaport
From a curious teenager in Israel to leading billion-dollar ventures, Rappaport’s career is a testament to innovation, resilience, and leadership. His journey highlights the power of combining technical expertise with a bold vision for the future.
The Bottom Line
Assaf Rappaport’s story is one of determination and impact. As a student, he dreamed of solving big problems. As a leader, he’s doing exactly that. From co-founding Adallom to leading cloud security at Microsoft and now building Wiz into a global cybersecurity powerhouse, Rappaport continues to shape the future of technology. For anyone interested in the intersection of innovation and security, his career offers valuable lessons.
