Last updated at Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:13:38 GMT

Rapid7 has been my home for the last six years, growing from 98 people when I joined to over 700 today. Keeping up with the growth has been both exhilarating and terrifying. I am really proud of our Austin team, the Metasploit ecosystem, and our leadership in security research. We care about our customers, our employees, and our impact in the industry. Working at Rapid7 has simply been the best job I have ever had.

We have surpassed every goal that I set when I joined in 2009. Metasploit is thriving. Our research continues to shine light on exposures both wide and deep. Rapid7 is recognized as a champion of open source development. Rapid7 is a solid brand name in both enterprise security and the security community. We have helped shape vulnerability disclosure and the politics of security research. We scan the internet, legally, and share the data with the world. We help our customers improve their security while continuing to support the security community.

Late last year, a friend of mine offered me an inspiring opportunity. After some reflection, I realized that the role he described was a natural evolution of my career in this industry. I will be leaving Rapid7 to help build a new venture capital firm focused on helping early-stage security companies get to market faster. Since the only thing more insane than working at one startup is working with multiple startups at the same time, this seemed like a perfect match and a way to contribute back to the security community.

Although my last day at Rapid7 is January 29th, I will not be going far. I will continue to work on the Metasploit Framework and stay active in the community. I have full faith that the Metasploit team will continue to build great things and put our users first. Similarly, Rapid7 continues to increase its investment in security research and will still share findings to benefit the security community as a whole and help people protect themselves.

Rapid7 has a unique position in the industry and an amazing team.  I have no doubt that the company's best days are ahead. Although I won't be with the company, I will be cheering from the sidelines.

-HD