Cato Networks has opened its first dedicated AI hub in London, expanding the cybersecurity company's research and development presence in the UK.
The Holborn office will focus on artificial intelligence, small and medium-sized business growth, and security. It adds an R&D base to Cato's existing London presence, where it already employs nearly 100 people across sales, support, marketing and customer success.
The move gives Cato a dedicated engineering operation in the capital as it looks to broaden its product development footprint beyond its existing teams. The London hub is part of a multi-year growth plan and will launch with a team of data scientists, software engineers and product managers.
Avidan Avraham, Director of Engineering at Cato, will lead the new site. Cato plans to grow the London hub to nearly 50 staff over the next three years.
R&D focus
The London team will concentrate on two areas: the company's AI efforts and product journeys aimed at smaller businesses; and a security-focused product engineering team for longer-term development work.
The expansion comes as technology companies continue to build engineering and research teams in London, attracted by the city's deep pool of software, data and cybersecurity specialists. Cato positioned the investment as part of that wider UK trend.
Shlomo Kramer, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cato Networks, described the opening as an important step in the company's growth plans.
"Cato's new London R&D site marks a defining moment and a meaningful acceleration into our next phase of growth," said Shlomo Kramer, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Cato Networks.
He said the company sees London as a major source of AI and cybersecurity talent as customers increasingly focus on using AI securely.
"This strategic expansion elevates our global R&D footprint, anchoring us closer to one of the world's leading AI and cybersecurity talent hubs, and helping us build the technologies customers need to securely adopt AI at scale," Kramer said.
Hiring plans
Avraham said the new office would draw on London's established technology labour market and experience base. The initial team will include specialists across data science, engineering and product roles.
"I'm incredibly excited to build a world-class AI innovation hub right here in London," said Avidan Avraham, Director of Engineering, Cato Networks.
He said the choice of location reflects the concentration of international technology groups already operating in the city.
"The opportunity here is vast, and building alongside other global tech giants that have chosen to set up in the city gives us access to a rich pool of experience and talent that we can tap into and develop. We look forward to working with exceptional professionals on projects that are central to accelerating Cato's strong growth trajectory, and with engineers ready to tackle challenges across AI, data intelligence, next-generation cybersecurity, and cloud networking," Avraham said.
Cato is best known for network and security software delivered through a cloud-based platform. The London expansion signals a push to deepen engineering resources in AI and security as demand rises from businesses seeking to manage cyber risks linked to new tools and services.
The company did not disclose the size of its investment in the site. It said the London hub would support core growth initiatives and extend its engineering reach in one of Europe's largest technology labour markets.