The short answer
Rapid7, the Boston cybersecurity company, is cutting about 12% of its workforce under a restructuring plan its board approved on August 7, 2026, per a Form 8-K the company filed with the SEC on August 10. Rapid7 did not say how many people that is. The Boston Globe put the figure at roughly 300 jobs, and SiliconANGLE (about 310) and GovInfoSecurity (about 314) worked from Rapid7's reported headcount of 2,613 at the end of 2025. The figure is job cuts, announced with the company's second-quarter results.
What happened
Rapid7 announced the cuts on August 10, 2026 alongside its second-quarter earnings, per the Boston Globe. The same day it filed an 8-K, which is a form public companies use to tell the SEC about big events. Under Item 2.05 of that filing, Rapid7 said its board approved what it calls the 2026 Restructuring Plan on August 7 that reduces the workforce by about 12%. The filing was signed by CFO Rafeal E. Brown.
The company's earnings press release, dated August 10, said about 12% of the workforce had been notified that their positions would be affected, and that the plan started in the second quarter. The Boston Globe reported that less than a month earlier, Rapid7 had told the paper it was laying off only 21 people.
Who is affected
Rapid7 has not said which teams or offices are affected, based on the 8-K and the press release. GovInfoSecurity reported, citing the second-quarter earnings call, that CEO Wael Mohamed said the company cut non-headcount spending first and put protecting customer-facing roles first when choosing where to cut. SiliconANGLE reported that Rapid7 had 2,613 employees at the end of December 2025, and GovInfoSecurity reported that headcount was up 17.3% from 2,228 at the end of 2023.
The 8-K said the plan's scope may stretch longer in some countries because of local consultation rules, which means some affected employees outside the United States may have later exit dates.
When it takes effect
Rapid7's 8-K said most of the charges will land in the third and fourth quarters of 2026 and that the plan, including cash payments, should be substantially complete by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. The press release reported $1.675 million of restructuring expense already booked in the second quarter.
What the company said
The 8-K said the plan is meant to simplify operations, line up resources and spending with Rapid7's core platform, and free up money to reinvest in customer experience and competitive capabilities. In the earnings release, Mohamed called Rapid7 "a good company ready to be great." GovInfoSecurity reported that Mohamed described the restructuring on the call as a strategic shift to drive efficiency and focus, and that he expects it to improve free cash flow in 2027 while severance and reinvestment offset the savings this year.
GovInfoSecurity also reported that Mohamed, who is 58, became CEO about two months before the cuts, replacing Corey Thomas, who had led the company since October 2012 and became chairman. SiliconANGLE reported the change took effect June 1, 2026. The Boston Globe reported Rapid7 had revenue of $860 million last year and forecasts 2026 sales as low as $837 million.
Severance and support
The 8-K estimated charges of about $10 million to $11 million, mainly cash costs for employee transition, notice periods, severance, employee benefits and related costs. The Boston Globe reported the cuts will cost $11 million to $12 million, mostly for severance, a slightly higher range than the filing. The 8-K also mentioned non-cash charges for accelerated vesting of share-based awards, which the company said it does not expect to be significant. No per-employee severance terms were stated in the filing, the press release or the coverage.
Earlier cuts at Rapid7
- August 2023: Rapid7's board approved a plan on August 7, 2023 to cut about 18% of its workforce, with estimated charges of $24 million to $32 million, per the company's 8-K from that month. GovInfoSecurity reported that round cut more than 470 positions from a 2,623-person staff, and the Boston Globe described it as nearly 500 jobs.
Questions people ask
How many people did Rapid7 lay off in August 2026?
Rapid7 said about 12% of its workforce is affected, per its August 10, 2026 8-K, and it did not give a headcount. The Boston Globe estimated roughly 300 jobs, and SiliconANGLE (about 310) and GovInfoSecurity (about 314) based their estimates on the 2,613 employees Rapid7 reported at the end of 2025.
Which Rapid7 teams were cut?
Rapid7 has not named the teams or offices affected in its 8-K or its press release. GovInfoSecurity reported that CEO Wael Mohamed said customer-facing roles were protected first.
When will the Rapid7 layoffs be finished?
Rapid7's 8-K said the plan should be substantially complete by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, with most charges in the third and fourth quarters. It also said some countries may take longer because of local consultation requirements.
What does Rapid7 pay in severance?
Rapid7 did not publish per-person terms. Its 8-K estimated $10 million to $11 million in total charges, mainly cash for employee transition, notice periods, severance and benefits, and the Boston Globe reported a range of $11 million to $12 million.