Proofpoint has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hornetsecurity Group, a leading European provider of cloud-based Microsoft 365 (M365) security and compliance solutions. The move will see the cybersecurity firm extend its reach among small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) through Hornetsecurity’s strong presence with managed service providers (MSPs) across Europe.
This acquisition represents a key step in Proofpoint’s global strategy to deliver security focused on human behaviour and risk. Hornetsecurity currently serves over 12,000 channel partners and MSPs, and more than 125,000 SMBs, offering AI-powered solutions covering email security, backup, compliance, and security awareness. Its flagship platform, 365 Total Protection, allows MSPs to manage multiple clients from a single interface, delivering integrated services such as domain fraud protection, access control, and security awareness training.
Proofpoint CEO Sumit Dhawan said, “As attackers grow more sophisticated and people remain the primary target, organisations need security that protects them wherever they work—across email, cloud applications, and every digital channel. 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.”
Strengthening market presence and innovation
Hornetsecurity adds significant scale to Proofpoint’s portfolio, generating over US$160 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with more than 20 percent year-on-year growth. The company also surpasses the ‘Rule of 60’ benchmark, reflecting strong performance across growth and profitability metrics.
Together, Proofpoint and Hornetsecurity aim to deliver a complementary blend of enterprise-grade security and MSP-focused solutions, underpinned by shared threat intelligence. Proofpoint already serves over half of the Fortune 1000 and 85 percent of the Fortune 100, while Hornetsecurity brings specialised expertise in the SMB and MSP sector.
Hornetsecurity founder and CEO Daniel Hofmann commented, “Hornetsecurity’s AI-powered security platform enables thousands of MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade protection to their SMB customers across Europe. 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.”
Hofmann will continue to lead the company, and the existing management team will remain in place. Their focus will be on expanding the 365 Total Protection platform and accelerating innovation in response to evolving threats.
A unified platform to meet global needs
Microsoft 365 remains a key focus for attackers, making its protection a top priority. Proofpoint’s recent partnership expansion with Microsoft reflects its commitment to scalable, proactive defence against threats targeting individuals and the data they access.
Once the acquisition is finalised, Hornetsecurity will become the central hub for Proofpoint’s SMB and MSP offerings. The combined teams will continue developing AI-driven detection tools and shared threat intelligence, boosting protection capabilities across their platforms.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to standard regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.
