# Mark Arena

> Mark Arena is a Perth-based Australian software engineer and cybersecurity entrepreneur who co-founded Intel 471 in 2014 and led it as founding CEO until February 2023. A former Australian Federal Police technical specialist and iSIGHT Partners chief researcher, he built a global threat intelligence business with Jason Passwaters before becoming majority owner of the Perth Wildcats in August 2024 and completing full ownership in January 2026. He is the Wildcats’ owner and CEO and chairs DroneSec.

- **Role:** Owner and Chief Executive Officer at Perth Wildcats; Board Chair at DroneSec
- **Organizations:** Perth Wildcats, Intel 471, DroneSec, iSIGHT Partners, Australian Federal Police, ERG Transit Systems, ASC
- **From:** Perth, Australia
- **Nationality:** Australian
- **Education:** B.S.; software engineering studies, Edith Cowan University, Sacred Heart College
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led Intel 471 from 2014 to February 2023., Built Intel 471 without outside capital before its 2021 Thoma Bravo investment, as described in the investor’s 2026 retrospective., Completed acquisition of the Perth Wildcats through MT Arena Capital Investment; SEG reported total sale proceeds of A$39.5 million.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2014** — Worked in software engineering, including embedded public transportation systems; subsequently a technical specialist in Australian Federal Police High Tech Crime Operations and chief researcher at iSIGHT Partners.
- **2014** — Co-founded Intel 471 with Jason Passwaters; incorporated the business in Delaware in May while living in Europe.
- **2021** — Led Intel 471 through Thoma Bravo’s strategic growth investment, completed on 27 September; the co-founders retained significant ownership.
- **2022** — Returned to Australia in early 2022 after a decade in Europe, according to his own March 2023 submission.
- **2023** — Left the Intel 471 CEO position at the end of February; Jason Passwaters became CEO on 1 March. Arena transitioned to strategic advisor and retained his board seat.
- **2023** — Submitted recommendations to the Australian Cyber Security Strategy discussion paper on 23 March.
- **2024** — Became Perth Wildcats majority owner on 14 August through an initial 52.5% acquisition for approximately A$21 million.
- **2025** — Ownership vehicle acquired a further 16.9% of the Wildcats for A$6.5 million on 3 November.
- **2026** — Completed the remaining Wildcats share purchases; SEG announced its final exit on 6 January.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led Intel 471 from 2014 to February 2023.
- Built Intel 471 without outside capital before its 2021 Thoma Bravo investment, as described in the investor’s 2026 retrospective.
- Completed acquisition of the Perth Wildcats through MT Arena Capital Investment; SEG reported total sale proceeds of A$39.5 million.
- Contributed a nine-page submission to Australia’s 2023–2030 Cyber Security Strategy consultation.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Welcomed a three-year extension of the Wildcats’ Rio Tinto partnership, including regional basketball activity in Western Australia.
- **2026-06** — The Wildcats announced a three-season Pirate Life partnership with a game-day venue, fan benefits and the return of a marching band.
- **2026-03** — Discussed sustained success, organisational standards and childhood basketball memories on the Perth Bears podcast.
- **2026-01** — Completed full ownership of the Wildcats; SEG announced settlement of its final 30.6% interest for A$12 million on 6 January.

## Links

- Website: https://linktr.ee/WildcatsMark
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-arena-36a86516/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/WildcatsMark
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildcatsmark/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildcatsmark

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mark-arena
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22