Claroty Taps Former Ford Data Chief as CPO to Drive AI-Powered Security for Critical Infrastructure

Claroty has appointed Gil Gur Arie as its new Chief Product Officer, a move that underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence and data strategy in protecting cyber-physical systems (CPS). Gur Arie, who previously served as Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Ford Motor Company, will now oversee Claroty’s product direction, bringing together its product, data, and research teams to scale innovation across industries where security failures can have real-world consequences.

At Ford, Gur Arie led large teams of data and AI specialists tasked with modernizing operations at one of the world’s largest automakers. His track record includes guiding hundreds of product launches and creating billions in business value, often by applying analytics and machine learning to complex challenges. That background, combined with nearly two decades of service in Israel’s elite Unit 8200, positions him to strengthen Claroty’s foothold in defending critical infrastructure.

“Gil brings to Claroty a level of expertise in data and AI that is unmatched and perfectly built for our mission to secure the cyber-physical world,” said Yaniv Vardi, CEO of Claroty. “His understanding of the industrial landscape, combined with his deep-rooted knowledge of cyber threats, will serve Claroty tremendously in how we develop our solutions and continue to lead the market in CPS protection.”

The hire comes at a time when utilities, transportation networks, and industrial systems are increasingly under siege from attackers motivated by financial gain, sabotage, or geopolitical leverage. Unlike traditional IT breaches, CPS attacks can disrupt operations in energy grids, water systems, and factories—targets where downtime or compromise can quickly escalate into physical harm.

For Gur Arie, the answer lies in harnessing the vast volumes of operational data these systems generate and turning them into predictive intelligence. “As adversaries are increasingly targeting high-value CPS assets, it’s critical that we advance our protective technologies to outpace attackers,” he said. “I believe that harnessing the power of massive amounts of data and leveraging AI to build impenetrable defenses is the future for securing the technology that underpins our daily lives. I’m thrilled to join Claroty in this important undertaking, working with a world-class team of passionate innovators.”

Gur Arie’s career has blended defense, enterprise leadership, and academic rigor. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology, followed by an MBA from Tel Aviv University, and was awarded the Israel Presidential Defense Award in 2018 for his work on national security projects.

Claroty is betting that his mix of defense intelligence, enterprise AI leadership, and product execution at scale will give it an edge in a market where innovation must move as fast as the threats it faces.