Upwind has announced the appointment of Joe Sullivan as a Strategic Advisor, reinforcing its commitment to advancing runtime-first cloud security in an era shaped by AI and rapidly evolving digital infrastructure. With decades of experience across government and leading technology firms, Sullivan’s addition signals a strategic move to bring top-tier cybersecurity expertise to enterprises navigating increasingly complex threat landscapes.
As organizations continue to adopt cloud and AI technologies at an accelerated pace, security teams are facing unprecedented challenges. Consequently, runtime visibility has emerged as a critical requirement rather than a competitive advantage. In fact, as modern attack surfaces expand in real time, organizations must shift from traditional perimeter-based defenses to real-time monitoring and response strategies. Therefore, Upwind is positioning itself at the forefront of this shift by emphasizing runtime security as the foundation of modern cloud and AI protection.
Importantly, Sullivan brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of cybersecurity, technology, and public service. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles, including serving as Chief Security Officer at Facebook, Uber, and Cloudflare. Prior to that, he spent eight years at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he co-founded the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Unit and gained national recognition for prosecuting major cybercrime cases. Additionally, his experience extends to building security programs at companies like eBay and PayPal, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in large-scale cybersecurity operations.
“There is no one in this industry who has built security at the scale Joe has, across organizations that defined the modern internet,” said Rinki Sethi, Chief Security & Strategy Officer at Upwind. “I have known Joe for years and have admired the way he thinks about security not just as a technical discipline but as a business imperative and a matter of trust. This is an important moment for cloud security, and for Upwind. The pace at which enterprises are adopting AI infrastructure is extraordinary, and the risks are evolving just as quickly. Having Joe as part of our journey means our customers get access to one of the most influential voices in security, someone who has sat in their seat and understands what is actually at stake.”
Beyond his operational roles, Sullivan has played a significant role in shaping cybersecurity policy and strategy at the highest levels. For instance, he has testified before the U.S. Congress, served on Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity under President Barack Obama, and advised the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, he remains an active voice in the industry, contributing to major forums such as RSA Conference, Black Hat, and DEF CON, while also serving on the Cloud Security Alliance’s Safe AI Non-Profit Leadership Council.
“Security leaders are navigating something genuinely new right now,” said Joe Sullivan, Strategic Advisor at Upwind. “The tools, the risks, the speed at which everything is moving in 2026 is unlike anything I have seen in my career. And the enterprises that are going to come out ahead are the ones that invest in real-time visibility at the cloud and AI layer, not just controls at the perimeter. What Upwind has built addresses exactly what the industry needs: the ability to see what is happening at runtime, in the moment, and act on it. I am proud to be part of what this team is building and look forward to contributing to the team, their customers and the conversations happening across the industry.”
Meanwhile, Upwind continues to experience rapid growth, reporting a 900% year-over-year revenue increase and securing a $250 million Series B funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. As a result, the company is doubling down on innovation, expanding its runtime security platform, and integrating AI capabilities to provide real-time threat detection and response.
Ultimately, Sullivan’s advisory role will focus on shaping enterprise strategy, strengthening customer engagement, and guiding Upwind’s vision for cloud-native security. As the cybersecurity landscape evolves alongside AI advancements, this appointment positions Upwind to lead the next phase of innovation, helping organizations gain the speed, context, and confidence needed to defend against modern threats.
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