Strategic acquisition marks significant milestone in advancing Proofpoint’s mission to deliver human-centric security solutions to businesses of all sizes across the globe
Proofpoint, a global leader in cybersecurity and compliance solutions, announced a definitive agreement to acquire Hornetsecurity Group, a prominent pan-European provider specializing in AI-driven Microsoft 365 (M365) security, data protection, compliance, and security awareness services.
This strategic acquisition bolsters Proofpoint’s capabilities to deliver human-centric security solutions to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide via managed service providers (MSPs). By integrating Proofpoint’s global expertise with Hornetsecurity’s specialized knowledge in the MSP ecosystem, the partnership will enhance their mission to safeguard organizations of all sizes and the people within them.
Hornetsecurity strengthens Proofpoint’s portfolio with an impressive business model, boasting over $160 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), more than 20% year-over-year growth, and performance exceeding the Rule of 60, indicating robust market demand and exceptional operational efficiency.
While Proofpoint is a recognized global leader in enterprise-grade security, trusted by 85% of the Fortune 100 and more than half of the Fortune 1000, Hornetsecurity serves a distinct market segment, delivering security solutions to over 12,000 channel partners and MSPs and more than 125,000 SMBs across Europe. Together, they will offer complementary, purpose-built platforms enriched with shared threat intelligence to set a new global standard in human-centric security.
“As attackers grow more sophisticated and people remain the primary target, organizations need security that protects them wherever they work—across email, cloud applications, and every digital channel,” said Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint. “With the addition of Hornetsecurity, we’re excited to extend our industry-leading, human-centric security platform to better serve the unique needs of MSPs and SMBs. We look forward to deepening our investment in the European markets as part of our global growth strategy.”
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“Hornetsecurity’s AI-powered security platform enables thousands of MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade protection to their SMB customers across Europe,” said Daniel Hofmann, founder and CEO of Hornetsecurity. “With the breadth of human-centric risks only growing, joining Proofpoint is a natural next step in our journey to build the strongest global offering of M365 security services. By coming together, we can better serve our partners and customers and extend that protection globally to help MSPs everywhere safeguard their customers’ people, data, and operations.”
With M365 being integral to business operations, it has become a primary target for cyberattacks. Proofpoint’s expanded partnership with Microsoft supports scalable innovation and offers human-centric security to help clients proactively detect and neutralize threats aimed at individuals and sensitive data.
Hornetsecurity’s flagship product, 365 Total Protection, stands out as a comprehensive cloud security solution for M365, offering MSPs a unified, multi-tenant platform for advanced email security, data backup, security awareness, access management, and domain fraud protection. Hornetsecurity will continue to innovate within its Total Protection platform, providing enhanced security solutions driven by shared threat intelligence and advanced AI models. Customers and partners of both companies will benefit from improved threat detection and response.
Following the acquisition’s completion, Proofpoint plans to leverage its global presence to extend Hornetsecurity’s platform to MSPs and their clients worldwide. Hornetsecurity will serve as the focal point for MSP and SMB customers within Proofpoint, promoting a unified service strategy, superior customer experience, and accelerated innovation tailored to the needs of these critical segments.
Daniel Hofmann will continue to lead Hornetsecurity, maintaining its strategic direction while fostering innovation to develop next-generation cybersecurity solutions. The existing management team will also remain in place, ensuring continuity and commitment to the company’s vision.
