Zscalernames Kevin Rubinas CF Oraisesannualforecast

Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, August 10th 2025 at 2:36 GMT by Channel NewsAsia Singapore
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Zscaler named Kevin Rubin as its chief financial officer and raised its annual results forecast on Thursday, as businesses spend more on cybersecurity networking solutions to combat sophisticated online threats.The cloud security firm's shares rose nearly 5 per cent in extended trading.Rubin, who was t

Zscaler Appoints Kevin Rubin as Permanent CFO and Boosts Annual Revenue Forecast Amid Surging Demand for Cloud Security

In a significant move underscoring its growth trajectory in the cybersecurity sector, Zscaler Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based security solutions, has officially named Kevin Rubin as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This appointment comes alongside an upward revision to the company's annual revenue forecast, reflecting robust demand for its services in an increasingly digital and threat-laden business landscape. The announcements were made following the release of Zscaler's strong fiscal first-quarter results, which exceeded market expectations and highlighted the company's resilience and expansion in the competitive cybersecurity market.

Kevin Rubin, who has been with Zscaler since 2012, steps into the permanent CFO role after serving as the interim CFO since April. His extensive experience within the company positions him as a natural fit for the position. Rubin has held various key roles, including Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Corporate Controller, giving him a deep understanding of Zscaler's operations, financial strategies, and growth initiatives. His promotion is seen as a vote of confidence in internal talent, ensuring continuity in leadership as the company navigates a period of rapid expansion. Zscaler's CEO, Jay Chaudhry, praised Rubin's contributions, noting that his strategic insights have been instrumental in driving the company's financial health and operational efficiency. This internal elevation avoids the disruptions often associated with external hires and aligns with Zscaler's culture of promoting from within.

The CFO appointment coincides with an optimistic update to Zscaler's full-year financial outlook. The company now projects annual revenue to range between $2.17 billion and $2.19 billion, up from its previous guidance of $2.14 billion to $2.16 billion. This adjustment represents a year-over-year growth of approximately 20-21%, signaling strong momentum in its business. Additionally, Zscaler raised its forecast for billings, a key metric indicating future revenue potential, to between $2.62 billion and $2.65 billion. These revisions are driven by heightened demand for Zscaler's zero-trust security platform, which helps organizations secure their networks in the era of cloud computing, remote work, and rising cyber threats.

Zscaler's first-quarter performance provides the backdrop for this positive outlook. For the quarter ending October 31, the company reported revenue of $535.9 million, surpassing analysts' average estimates of $524.5 million. This marked a 34% increase from the same period last year, demonstrating the company's ability to capitalize on the growing need for advanced cybersecurity measures. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 67 cents, beating expectations of 62 cents. These results underscore Zscaler's effective execution in a market where enterprises are increasingly prioritizing secure access service edge (SASE) solutions to protect against sophisticated cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware incidents.

The cybersecurity industry as a whole is experiencing a boom, fueled by factors such as the proliferation of remote and hybrid work models, the acceleration of digital transformation, and escalating geopolitical tensions that heighten cyber risks. Zscaler's zero-trust architecture, which assumes no user or device is inherently trustworthy and verifies every access request, has become a cornerstone for many organizations transitioning from traditional perimeter-based security to cloud-native defenses. This approach not only enhances security but also improves user experience and reduces costs associated with legacy VPNs and firewalls.

Market analysts have responded positively to these developments. Shares of Zscaler, which trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker ZS, rose more than 5% in after-hours trading following the announcements, reflecting investor confidence in the company's trajectory. The stock has been volatile in recent years, influenced by broader tech sector fluctuations and economic uncertainties, but Zscaler's consistent outperformance has helped it maintain a premium valuation. As of the latest close, the company's market capitalization stands at around $30 billion, positioning it as a major player alongside competitors like Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Fortinet.

Looking deeper into Zscaler's strategy, the company has been aggressively investing in innovation and expansion. Recent initiatives include enhancements to its Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) platforms, which form the backbone of its SASE offerings. These tools enable secure, seamless access to applications and data regardless of location, addressing the challenges posed by the dissolution of traditional network perimeters. Zscaler has also been expanding its global footprint, with a growing customer base that includes Fortune 500 companies across industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

The raised forecast also factors in Zscaler's ability to upsell and cross-sell to existing customers, a strategy that has proven effective in driving recurring revenue. The company's subscription-based model ensures predictable income streams, with high retention rates and expanding deal sizes. For instance, in the first quarter, Zscaler reported a dollar-based net retention rate of 119%, indicating that customers are not only staying but also increasing their spending on its services.

Challenges remain, however, in this dynamic sector. Intensifying competition from both established giants and nimble startups could pressure margins, while macroeconomic headwinds like inflation and potential recessions might slow IT spending. Regulatory changes, particularly around data privacy and cybersecurity standards in regions like Europe and Asia, could also impact operations. Despite these, Zscaler's leadership remains bullish, with Chaudhry emphasizing the company's role in enabling secure digital transformation. "As organizations continue to embrace cloud and mobility, the demand for zero trust security is only going to accelerate," he stated in the earnings call.

Rubin's appointment is particularly timely as Zscaler prepares for its next phase of growth. With his background in finance and operations, he is expected to focus on optimizing capital allocation, managing investments in R&D, and pursuing strategic acquisitions to bolster the company's portfolio. Past acquisitions, such as those of cloud security firms like Trustdome and ShiftRight, have already expanded Zscaler's capabilities in areas like cloud workload protection and security posture management.

In summary, Zscaler's decision to appoint Kevin Rubin as CFO and revise its annual forecast upward paints a picture of a company firing on all cylinders. This news not only reinforces its position as a leader in cloud security but also signals to investors and stakeholders that Zscaler is well-equipped to thrive in an environment where cyber threats are omnipresent. As the digital economy evolves, Zscaler's innovations and financial strength will likely continue to drive its success, benefiting from the inexorable shift toward secure, cloud-first infrastructures. With these developments, the company is poised for sustained growth, potentially setting new benchmarks in the cybersecurity industry. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full Channel NewsAsia Singapore Article at:
[ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/zscaler-names-kevin-rubin-cfo-raises-annual-forecast-5159366 ]

N※N

Zscalernames Kevin Rubinas CF Oraisesannualforecast

Zscaler Appoints Kevin Rubin as Permanent CFO and Boosts Annual Revenue Forecast Amid Surging Demand for Cloud Security