Yahoo Cybersecurity Team Undergoes Major Restructuring
Yahoo has reduced its cybersecurity workforce by approximately 25% over the past year, according to internal sources. The cuts primarily affected The Paranoids, Yahoo’s elite security team, with 40-50 positions eliminated through layoffs and attrition from a team of 200 since early 2024.
Key Changes in Yahoo’s Security Operations
- Red Team Elimination: The offensive security unit, responsible for simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities, was completely disbanded
- Multiple Layoff Rounds: At least three separate workforce reductions impacted the cybersecurity division in 2024
- Broader Tech Unit Changes: Restructuring extends beyond security to enterprise productivity and core services
Leadership Transition and Strategic Shift
Newly appointed CTO Valeri Liborski communicated these changes to staff in an internal email, stating: “This was a very difficult decision and one I have not taken lightly.” The moves follow Yahoo’s 2023 workforce reduction of 1,600 employees (20% of total staff).
Yahoo’s Official Statement
Company spokesperson Brenden Lee confirmed the restructuring to TechCrunch:
“Yahoo’s security program has matured significantly over the past seven years and is widely recognized as a world-class, industry-leading operation. As part of this evolution, we’ve made strategic adjustments, including transitioning offensive security operations to an outsourced model. This change reflects the sophistication of our program and enables us to concentrate resources on critical security priorities.”
Industry Context and Future Outlook
The cybersecurity team reductions align with Yahoo’s broader cost-cutting measures under CEO Jim Lanzone, who previously stated these changes would be “tremendously beneficial for the profitability of Yahoo overall.” The company plans to reinvest savings into other business areas while maintaining security standards through outsourced partnerships.
Note: Yahoo is the parent company of TechCrunch. All sources spoke on condition of anonymity.
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