The largest cybersecurity company in the US, Palo Alto Networks, has issued an apology after facing backlash for a controversial publicity stunt at a trade event in Las Vegas. The company came under fire for having two women pose with company-branded lampshades on their heads at the Black Hat conference, in an attempt to draw attention to their sponsorship of a “CyberRisk Collaborative Happy Hour”.
Critics quickly labeled the stunt as “sexist”, “creepy”, and “tone deaf”, prompting Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora to publicly acknowledge the misjudgment. In a LinkedIn post, Arora stated that the incident was “unequivocally not the culture we support, or aspire to be.”
The image of the women with lampshades on their heads, which obscured their faces, was shared on social media by LinkedIn user Sean Juroviesky, who described the scene as “sexist”. The backlash continued to grow, with executive advisor Olivia Rose questioning the company’s treatment of women at the event.
The incident has reignited discussions about gender equality and representation in the tech industry, with concerns about the continued male dominance and sexist treatment of women. The use of “booth babes” at tech events, a practice dating back to the 1960s, has faced criticism in recent years, leading to a push for more inclusive and respectful practices.
As the tech industry continues to grapple with issues of diversity and inclusion, the incident at the Black Hat conference serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to create a more equitable environment for all individuals.
