Proofpoint, Inc. , a leader in cybersecurity and compliance, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hornetsecurity Group , a leading European provider of AI-powered security, data protection, compliance, and security awareness services for Microsoft 365 (M365).
The acquisition significantly enhances Proofpoint’s ability to provide people-centric security to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide through managed service providers (MSPs), enabling all organizations to protect their people and defend their data. By combining Proofpoint’s global leadership with Hornetsecurity’s deep expertise in the MSP ecosystem, the two companies will advance their shared mission of protecting organizations of all sizes and the people they rely on.
Hornetsecurity adds a high-performing company to Proofpoint’s portfolio with over $160 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), over 20 percent year-over-year growth, and exceeding the Rule of 60 performance, an indicator of strong market demand and exceptional scalability of its business operations.
Hornetsecurity and Proofpoint deliver world-class solutions to diverse market segments. Hornetsecurity provides solutions to more than 12,000 channel partners and managed service providers and over 125,000 SMEs across Europe, while Proofpoint has established itself as a global leader in enterprise security, trusted by 85% of the Fortune 100 and more than half of the Fortune 1000. Together, they will offer dedicated and complementary platforms, based on shared threat intelligence, to serve every customer worldwide with a powerful new standard in human-centric security.
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“As attackers become more sophisticated and people remain their primary target, organizations need security that protects them wherever they work—across email, cloud applications, and all digital channels,” said Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint. “We are excited to add Hornetsecurity and expand our industry-leading, people-centric security platform to better meet the unique needs of managed service providers and SMBs. We look forward to increasing our investment in European markets as part of our global growth strategy.”
“Hornetsecurity’s AI-powered security platform enables thousands of managed service providers to deliver enterprise-grade protection to their small and medium-sized business customers across Europe,” said Daniel Hofmann, founder and CEO of Hornetsecurity. “Human-centric risks are only growing, so joining Proofpoint is the natural next step in our journey to build the most robust global M365 security services offering. By joining forces, we can better serve our partners and customers and extend that protection globally to help MSPs around the world safeguard their customers’ people, data, and operations.”
Microsoft 365 is at the heart of how many businesses operate, and it has also become a prime target for attackers. Proofpoint’s recent expansion of its partnership with Microsoft enables scaling innovation and delivers people-centric security to help joint customers proactively detect and mitigate threats targeting the people and data they work with.
Hornetsecurity’s flagship product, 365 Total Protection , is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for M365, offering MSPs a unified, multi-seat platform to deliver integrated services such as advanced email security, backup, security awareness, access and permissions control, and domain fraud protection. The Hornetsecurity team will continue to drive innovation through its Total Protection product platform to deliver additional innovative solutions to its partners and customers. Through the combination of shared threat intelligence and AI models, both Proofpoint and Hornetsecurity customers and partners will benefit from increased effectiveness of their leading detection products against threat actors.
Following the closing, Proofpoint intends to leverage its global reach to bring the power of the Hornetsecurity platform to MSPs and their customers worldwide, advancing the shared mission of protecting every organization’s people, data, and operations. Hornetsecurity will serve as a central hub for all MSPs and SMBs within the group, ensuring a unified approach, enhanced service delivery, and accelerated innovation tailored to the needs of these key customer segments.
Daniel Hofmann, CEO of Hornetsecurity, will remain at the helm of the company and continue driving its strategic growth and vision. The management team will remain with the company, championing the company’s vision and proven product strategy while accelerating innovation to deliver the next generation of cybersecurity solutions.
The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction are confidential.
Source: BusinessWire