Proofpoint has completed its acquisition of Hornetsecurity Group, strengthening its position in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity across global markets. The deal adds a major pan-European provider of Microsoft 365 security and data protection to Proofpoint’s portfolio, expanding its reach among managed service providers and small to midsize businesses.
The company said the acquisition reflects a long-term strategy to deliver security solutions purpose-built for the MSP channel. Hornetsecurity brings a strong European footprint, serving more than 125,000 customers through over 12,000 MSPs and channel partners. Proofpoint said this scale gives it a much broader path into the SMB segment, which continues to face rising risks as cyber threats become more targeted and automated.
Sumit Dhawan, chief executive of Proofpoint, said the integration will strengthen how organisations protect their people, data, and AI-driven systems. “We’re thrilled to officially welcome Hornetsecurity to Proofpoint and further our mission to protect the emerging agentic workspace for customers of every size,” he said. “Together, we will extend our human and agent-centric security leadership to safeguard people, AI agents, and data, while expanding our reach to SMBs and MSPs with Hornetsecurity’s proven, scalable platform. As threats grow faster and more targeted, our combined expertise will raise the bar for innovation and resilience, helping customers and partners worldwide safeguard what matters most.”
Strengthening Microsoft 365 security capabilities
Hornetsecurity’s flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is a cloud security platform designed specifically for Microsoft 365 environments. It offers email security, backup, compliance tools, awareness training, and access control features in one platform. The company’s multi-tenant MSP console also enables service providers to manage large customer portfolios without integrating multiple point solutions.
Daniel Hofmann, founder and chief executive of Hornetsecurity, said the acquisition supports a shared vision for expanding managed security services worldwide. “Joining Proofpoint marks a new chapter in our journey,” he said. “Together, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver the most effective M365 security and data protection to MSPs around the world. Building on our time-tested and well-established channel-centric approach, our combined capabilities, shared threat intelligence, and aligned vision will drive a new level of innovation and value for our partners and customers globally.”
Following the acquisition, Hornetsecurity will operate as a dedicated business unit focused on MSP and SMB customers. Hofmann will serve as executive vice president and general manager of the unit within Proofpoint, continuing to oversee product development, go-to-market activities, and partner support. Proofpoint said customers should expect continuity in their experience, with additional backing from its global research and security intelligence teams.
Financial details and market impact
Proofpoint will acquire Hornetsecurity for a total consideration of US$1.8 billion. Hornetsecurity generates nearly US$200 million in annual recurring revenue and is growing at about 20 percent year over year. The acquisition strengthens Proofpoint’s focus on Europe and supports its plan to scale AI-powered security offerings across organisations of all sizes.
The company said the combined product line will bring more advanced protection to the channel ecosystem, addressing rising threats across email, cloud and collaboration tools. Proofpoint added that the move underscores its commitment to a security model built around people and AI agents, an area it sees as central to the next phase of enterprise and SMB defence strategies.
