Prakash Panjwani

Career Overview

Prakash Panjwani was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Acronis effective October 15, 2026, replacing Jan-Jaap "JJ" Jager. He brings extensive experience in cybersecurity platforms, managed service providers and acquisitions.

During his decade at WatchGuard, he helped transform the company from a firewall-focused business into a broader cybersecurity platform incorporating AI-powered endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), and managed detection and response (MDR). He served as WatchGuard's CEO from April 2015 to May 2025, overseeing six strategic acquisitions that expanded the company's capabilities across endpoint security, identity security, and managed detection and response.

Prior to WatchGuard, Panjwani led SafeNet as CEO. In his 12-year career at SafeNet, he led the strategic acquisition of 12 companies and refocused the company's data protection product portfolio on three rapidly growing markets – crypto management, data encryption, and authentication. SafeNet was sold to Gemalto for $890 million in January 2015.

Education

Panjwani holds a master's degree in information networking from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University.

Career History

• Chief Executive Officer, Acronis (October 2026–present)
• Chief Executive Officer, WatchGuard Technologies (April 2015–May 2025)
• President and Chief Executive Officer, SafeNet (2014–2015)
• Senior Vice President and General Manager, Data Protection Group, SafeNet (2002–2014)
• Senior Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Certicom Corporation
• Various executive roles at Motorola and Telcordia

What Panjwani Could Bring to Acronis

Panjwani's demonstrated expertise in transforming security platforms from single-function to integrated suites, combined with his deep MSP ecosystem knowledge and proven M&A track record, positions him to accelerate Acronis' platform unification strategy and deepen channel relationships across the managed service provider market. His experience in channel-led business models and the MSP ecosystem is expected to support the company's efforts to expand its partner network and drive sustainable growth.