Proofpoint, Inc., a company specialising in cybersecurity and compliance, has announced the successful acquisition of Hornetsecurity Group.
This strategic move solidifies Proofpoint's presence in Europe, enhancing its offerings in AI-powered Microsoft 365 security, data protection, and compliance solutions, particularly beneficial for managed service providers (MSPs). Hornetsecurity, a prominent European provider with a network of over 12,000 MSPs and resellers, serves more than 125,000 customers, enabling Proofpoint to significantly broaden its market reach and capabilities.
AI-Powered workplace integration
The acquisition aligns with Proofpoint's goal of advancing security in the AI-enhanced workplace. CEO of Proofpoint, Sumit Dhawan, expressed enthusiasm about integrating Hornetsecurity into the company to strengthen their approach to safeguarding AI systems, personnel, and data.
Dhawan highlighted the collaboration's potential to enhance engagement within the MSP market via Hornetsecurity’s scalable platform, raising the innovation and resilience benchmark against increasingly sophisticated threats globally.
Comprehensive security solutions
Dhawan highlighted the collaboration's potential to enhance engagement within the MSP market
Hornetsecurity's premier offering, 365 Total Protection, is recognised for its extensive and holistic security capabilities tailored for M365 environments.
The platform offers a spectrum of services that include email security, backup, compliance measures, and awareness training, allowing MSPs straightforward management of clients' protection needs without needing multiple disparate solutions. Daniel Hofmann, founder and CEO of Hornetsecurity, remarked on the synergistic benefits of the merger, emphasizing their shared vision of bringing advanced M365 security solutions to MSPs worldwide.
Fostering innovation through collaboration
Post-acquisition, Hornetsecurity will function as a dedicated unit within Proofpoint, focusing on channel partners and MSPs under Hofmann's leadership as Executive Vice President and General Manager. His team will continue to prioritise product innovation and partner strategies on the Hornetsecurity platform, supported by Proofpoint's extensive global resources and threat intelligence. Clients and partners are reassured of consistent service and support quality, with even greater benefits anticipated from the merger.
The acquisition, valued at $1.8 billion, not only marks a continuation of Hornetsecurity’s impressive growth—evidenced by its nearly $200 million annual recurring revenue and 20% yearly growth—but also reaffirms Proofpoint's dedication to offering AI-driven, differentiated security solutions to organisations worldwide, further strengthening its foothold in the European market.
Proofpoint, Inc., a cybersecurity and compliance company, announces the completion of its acquisition of Hornetsecurity Group. Hornetsecurity is a pan-European provider of AI-powered Microsoft 365 security, data protection, compliance, and security awareness solutions for managed service providers (MSPs).
With this acquisition, Proofpoint reaches a significant milestone in its strategic path to protecting employees, data, and AI-powered digital assistants. Leveraging Hornetsecurity's strong market presence in Europe and a partner network of over 12,000 MSPs and resellers serving more than 125,000 customers, Proofpoint significantly expands its reach and capabilities.
AI-powered workplace
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Hornetsecurity to Proofpoint and to advance our mission to protect the emerging AI-powered workplace for businesses of all sizes,” said Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint.
“Together, we will further develop our leading security strategy to protect people, AI assistants, and data alike. At the same time, we will expand our reach in the channel and MSP markets through Hornetsecurity’s proven, scalable platform. As threats become increasingly rapid and targeted, our combined expertise will set new standards for innovation and resilience, helping customers and partners worldwide protect what matters most.”
Comprehensive cloud security platform
Hornetsecurity's flagship solution, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security platform for M365 environments. With services ranging from email security and backup to compliance, awareness training, and access control, the platform provides MSPs with a multi-tenant control panel to manage and scale their customers' protection – without the complexity of combining multiple standalone solutions.
“The merger with Proofpoint marks a new chapter in our journey,” said Daniel Hofmann, founder and CEO of Hornetsecurity. “Together, we are ideally positioned to deliver the most effective M365 security and data protection to MSPs worldwide. Building on our proven, channel-centric approach, our threat intelligence technologies and shared vision will enable a new level of innovation and added value for our partners and customers globally.”
Driving product innovation
As part of the transaction, Hornetsecurity will operate as a business unit focused on the channel and MSPs worldwide. Daniel Hofmann will lead the business unit as Executive Vice President and General Manager within Proofpoint.
His leadership team will remain in place and continue to drive product innovation, go-to-market strategy, and partner success through the Hornetsecurity platform. Customers and partners can expect seamless continuity of products, services, and support—enhanced by additional benefits from Proofpoint's global resources, research, and threat intelligence.
Proofpoint acquires Hornetsecurity for a total purchase price of $1.8 billion. Hornetsecurity generates nearly $200 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) , representing 20% year-over-year growth. This acquisition underscores Proofpoint's commitment to the European market and its strategy to deliver differentiated, AI-powered security to organizations of all sizes worldwide.
