Palo Alto Networks - 1792 Exchange

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Lower Risk

Summary:

Palo Alto Networks vets vendors for LGBTQ policies but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. Palo Alto Networks supports the Equality Act and its CEO signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge. However, it protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination, does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving, and has not used its corporate funds for ideological purposes. For these reasons, Palo Alto Networks receives a Lower Risk rating.

Criteria

Risk Level

Rationale

Corporate Weaponization

Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level

Rationale

Palo Alto Networks has received a score of 95 on the Corporate Equality Index (1). Among other requirements, this means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies. For instance, it requires vendors not to discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation (2). However, Palo Alto Networks has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious beliefs or political views. Palo Alto Networks integrates ESG into all of its business practices. The company claims that “ESG and business success are not mutually exclusive” and “stakeholders look to Palo Alto Networks to design and implement long-term sustainable programs that … address environmental and social impact” (3).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level

Rationale

While Palo Alto Networks focuses much of its philanthropy on cybersecurity education, the company does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. Included in its contributions are organizations like G.R.A.C.E (Girls Rising Above Child Exploitation) and Islamic Scholarship Fund (1)(2).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level

Rationale

Palo Alto Networks protects its employees against viewpoint discrimination stating that applicants will be considered for employment regardless of “political affiliation” or “religion” (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy

Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level

Rationale

Palo Alto Networks advocates for the Equality Act (1). Palo Alto’s CEO Nikesh Arora signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace (2). Net zero is part of the company’s long-term strategy (3).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level

Rationale

Palo Alto’s HRC CEI profile indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level

Rationale

Palo Alto Network does not operate a PAC at this time and has not lobbied for ideological purposes (1)(2)(3).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
October 6, 2023

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