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{{Short description|American cybersecurity company}}
'''Proofpoint, Inc.''' is an email security and [[Data Loss Prevention|data loss prevention]] solution vendor based in Sunnyvale, California. Founded in June 2002, its first product was the Proofpoint Protection Server for medium and large businesses. Incorporating what was described as “MLX Technology”, proprietary [[Machine learning|machine learning]] algorithms applied to the problem of accurately identifying [[Email spam|spam email]], the company expanded with email encryption and [[Virtual machine|virtual appliance]] products as well as [[Software as a service|software-as-a-service]] offerings.
{{Distinguish|Proofpoint Systems, Inc.}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Company
{{Infobox company
| name = Proofpoint, Inc.
| name = Proofpoint, Inc.
| logo = [[Image: Proofpoint_Inc._Logo.gif|141px]]
| trading_name =
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| logo = Proofpoint R Logo.png
| genre =
| image = Proofpoint Headquarters, Sunnyvale CA.png
| foundation = [[2002]]
| image_caption = Proofpoint Headquarters, located in Sunnyvale, California
| founder =
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| location_city = [[Sunnyvale, California]]
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|PFPT}}
| location_country = [[United States]]
| founder = [[Eric Hahn]]
| location =
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people = Sumit Dhawan (CEO)<br>Marcel DePaolis (CTO)<br>Rémi Thomas (CFO)
| area_served =
| industry = Security software
| key_people = Chairman: [[Eric Hahn]]<br>CEO: Gary Steele<br>CTO: Marcel DePaolis
| genre =
| industry = Security software
| products = [[E-mail filtering| E-mail filtering]] <br> [[Anti-spam| Anti-spam]]
| products = Identity threat defense<br>[[Email filtering]]<br>[[Email privacy]]<br>[[Email encryption]]<br>[[Email archiving]]<br>[[Anti-spam techniques]]<br>[[Electronic discovery]]<br>[[Data loss prevention software]]
| services =
| services =
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|1.050 billion|link=yes}} (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020>{{Cite web|url=https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001212458/957ca607-1822-45d6-ab62-b7aeb5d3626b.pdf |title=Proofpoint, Inc. 2020 Annual Report |date=December 31, 2020|website=Proofpoint.com|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| operating_income = {{nowrap|{{increase}} –US$95.196 million (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020></ref>}}
| net_income = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} –US$163.809 million (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020></ref>}}
| net_income =
| assets = {{increase}} US$2.498 billion (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020></ref>
| owner =
| equity = {{decrease}} US$441.744 million (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020></ref>
| num_employees =
| owner = [[Thoma Bravo]]
| parent =
| num_employees = 3,658 (2020)<ref name=AnnualR2020></ref>
| divisions =
| subsid =
| parent =
| slogan =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = http://www.proofpoint.com
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| founded = {{Start date and age|2002}}
| intl =
| location_city = [[Sunnyvale, California]]
| location_country = U.S.
| location =
| locations = Offices worldwide: [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Israel]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[Singapore]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], The [[Netherlands]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[United Kingdom]], United States (California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/contact/office-locations|title=Office Locations|date=August 30, 2016|website=Proofpoint}}</ref>
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
}}
[[File:ProofpointToronto.jpg|thumb|Proofpoint office in Toronto]]


'''Proofpoint, Inc.''' is an American enterprise cybersecurity company based in [[Sunnyvale, California]] that provides [[software as a service]] and products for [[Email security#Privacy concerns|email security]], identity threat defense, [[data loss prevention]], [[electronic discovery]], and [[email archiving]].
== History ==


In 2021, Proofpoint was acquired by private equity firm [[Thoma Bravo]] for $12.3 billion.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of Proofpoint|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/08/31/2289228/0/en/Thoma-Bravo-Completes-Acquisition-of-Proofpoint.html|agency=[[GlobeNewswire]]}}</ref>
===Founding===


==History==
The company was founded in June 2002 by [[Eric Hahn|Eric Hahn]], formerly the CTO of [[Netscape|Netscape Communications]]. It launched July 21, 2003, after raising a $7 million series A funding round, releasing its first product, and lining up six customers as references, and was backed by venture investors Mohr, Davidow Ventures, [[Benchmark_ Capital| Benchmark Capital]]), and [[Stanford University|Stanford University]] <ref>[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/07/21/story4.html?t=printable sanjose.bizjournals.com]</ref>. An additional $9 million in Series B funding led by New York-based [[RRE Ventures]] was announced in October, 2003 <ref>[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/10/13/daily16.html sanjose.bizjournals.com]</ref>


===Company===
====Early product development====
The company was founded in July 2002 by [[Eric Hahn]], formerly the CTO of [[Netscape|Netscape Communications]]. It launched July 21, 2003, after raising a $7 million [[Series A funding]] round, releasing its first product, and lining up six customers as references, and was backed by venture investors [[Benchmark Capital]] and [[Stanford University]].<ref name="sanjose.bizjournals.com">{{Cite web|last=Lacy|first=Sarah|date=July 20, 2003|others=(fee required)|title=Proofpoint Joins Anti-Spam Crowd|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/07/21/story4.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=BizJournals.com}}</ref> An additional $9 million in Series B funding led by New York-based [[RRE Ventures]] was announced in October, 2003.<ref>[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/10/13/daily16.html Proofpoint adds funding, San Jose Business Journal, Oct 14, 2003].</ref>


Proofpoint became a publicly traded company in April 2012. At the time of its [[initial public offering]] (IPO), the company's shares traded at $13 apiece; investors purchased more than 6.3 million shares through the IPO, raising more than $80 million.<ref name="DealBook">{{cite web |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/proofpoint-and-infoblox-rise-on-debuts/ |work=The New York Times |date=April 20, 2012 |title=Proofpoint and Infoblox Rise on Debuts |accessdate=July 14, 2012}}</ref>
The company’s first product was the Proofpoint Protection Server for medium and large businesses. It incorporated what was described as “MLX Technology”, proprietary [[Machine learning|machine learning]] algorithms applied to the problem of accurately identifying [[Email spam|spam email]] using 10,000 different attributes to differentiate between spam and valid email. The company joined dozens of other anti-spam software providers<ref>[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/07/21/story4.html?t=printable sanjose.bizjournals.com]</ref> in a business opportunity fueled by an exponential increase in [[The growth of e-mail spam|spam volume]] that was threatening worker productivity, making spam a top business priority <ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17100348 www.informationweek.com]</ref>. According to Information Week’s 2004 National Technology Readiness Survey, the cost of spam in terms of lost productivity had reached $21.58 billion annually<ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=59300834 www.informationweek.com]</ref>.


On April 26, 2021, Proofpoint announced that it had agreed to be acquired by the private equity firm [[Thoma Bravo]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Proofpoint Agreed To Be Acquired By Thoma Bravo|date=April 26, 2021|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoint-enters-definitive-agreement-be-acquired-thoma-bravo-123-billion}}</ref>
The first Proofpoint Protection Server product upgrade was announced in November 2003 and expanded the number of spam detection attributes to more than 50,000.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2003/1103proofpoint.html www.networkworld.com]</ref>


[[File:Proofpoint Co-Founder & Chairman Eric Hahn with CEO Gary Steele.png|thumb|upright|Proofpoint co-founder & chairman Eric Hahn (left) with then-CEO Gary Steele (right) at Proofpoint's 15th-anniversary celebration]]
In December 2003, [[Forrester Research|Forrester Research]] announced the winners of the sixth annual Emerging Technology Showcase awards. Proofpoint was awarded for “Identifying And Dealing With Threats And Nuisances To The Enterprise”.<ref>[http://www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,870,00.html]</ref>


===Product history===
====Encryption products spurred by HIPAA====
The company's first product was the Proofpoint Protection Server (PPS) for medium and large businesses. It incorporated what was described as "MLX Technology", proprietary [[machine learning]] algorithms applied to the problem of accurately identifying [[Email spam|spam email]] using 10,000 different attributes to differentiate between spam and valid email. The company joined dozens of other anti-spam software providers<ref name="sanjose.bizjournals.com"/> in a business opportunity fueled by an exponential increase in [[Email spam|spam]] volume that was threatening worker productivity, making spam a top business priority.<ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17100348 Fighting Spam, Fueling Growth, InformationWeek Research's Outlook 2004 Survey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208080740/http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17100348 |date=December 8, 2009 }}.</ref> According to the 2004 National Technology Readinesed the number of spam detection attributes to more than 50,000{{ambiguous|date=November 2020|reason=What does this sentence mean?}}.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2003/1103proofpoint.html Proofpoint improves spam prevention, Nov 3, 2003, NetworkWorld] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531031643/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2003/1103proofpoint.html |date=May 31, 2008 }}</ref>


In 2004, strict new regulations governing financial disclosures and the privacy of health care data prompted Proofpoint to begin developing new products that would automatically identify and intercept outbound email containing sensitive information.<ref>[http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/13498/]</ref>
In 2004, strict new [[HIPAA]] regulations governing financial disclosures and the privacy of health care data prompted Proofpoint to begin developing new products that would automatically identify and intercept outbound email containing sensitive information.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/s/402545/e-mail-inspector/|title=E-Mail Inspector|first=Technology|last=Review|website=MIT Technology Review}}</ref>


In March, 2004, Proofpoint introduced its first hardware appliance, the P-Series Message Protection Appliance (later renamed Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway), using a hardened Linux kernel and Proofpoint's Protection Server 2.0 software.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2004/0315proofpoint.html]</ref> It was tested by Infoworld and found to stop 94% of spam.<ref>[http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/28/22TCspam_1.html]</ref>
In March 2004, Proofpoint introduced its first hardware appliance, the P-Series Message Protection Appliance (later renamed Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway), using a hardened Linux kernel and Proofpoint's Protection Server 2.0 software.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2004/0315proofpoint.html IronPort, Proofpoint appliances target spam, NetworkWorld, March 15, 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531031649/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2004/0315proofpoint.html |date=May 31, 2008 }}</ref> It was tested by Infoworld and found to stop 94% of spam.<ref>[http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/28/22TCspam_1.html BorderWare and Proofpoint boxes are both capable spam combatants, Infoworld, May 28, 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616170257/http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/28/22TCspam_1.html |date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>


Another product introduction in November, 2004 included Protection Server 3.0, with Email Firewall and MLX-based Dynamic Reputation Analysis, and the Content Security Suite, plug-in modules designed for scanning outbound messages and their attachments to assist in compliance with data protection regulations such as [[Sarbanes-Oxley|Sarbanes-Oxley]], [[HIPAA|HIPAA]], and [[Gramm-leach-bliley|Gramm-Leach-Bliley]]. In combination, this was known as the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Appliance. It was reviewed by ChannelWeb[http://www.crn.com/it-channel/54200259], which observed that it used a “combination of technologies: policy-based management, a spam-filtering engine and adaptive learning technology”. Implemented by [[Brown University|Brown University]], in the first 24 hours the Proofpoint system saved 447 Mb of email storage space by blocking 90,000 spam messages.<ref>[http://media.www.browndailyherald.com/media/storage/paper472/news/2005/02/15/CampusNews/New-System.Blocks.90000.Spam.EMails.In.First.24.Hours-864349.shtml]</ref> Infoworld reported that a number of companies were broadening their products to address other messaging issues besides spam, such as compliance violations, phishing scams, and viruses.<ref>[http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/11/08/45NNmes_1.html]</ref>
Another product introduction in November 2004 included Protection Server 3.0, with Email Firewall and MLX-based Dynamic Reputation Analysis, and the Content Security Suite, plug-in modules designed for scanning outbound messages and their attachments to assist in compliance with data protection regulations such as [[Sarbanes–Oxley]], [[HIPAA]], and [[Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act|Gramm–Leach–Bliley]]. In combination, this was known as the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Appliance. It was reviewed by ChannelWeb, which observed that it used a "combination of technologies: [[policy-based management]], a spam-filtering engine and adaptive learning technology."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080605213325/http://www.crn.com/it-channel/54200259 "ProofPoint Appliance Stands Guard At E-Mail Gate"], ChannelWeb, November 26, 2004</ref>


Proofpoint introduced a new product, the Network Content Sentry, as an add-on appliance to the Content Security Suite in August 2005.<ref name="eweek.com">[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Proofpoint-Voltage-Team-on-EMail-Encryption/ "Proofpoint, Voltage Team on E-Mail Encryption"]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, eweek.com, August 1, 2005.</ref> Designed to monitor online messaging other than email, the appliance monitors Web mail, message boards, blogs and FTP-based communications. Proofpoint also introduced policy-based [[email encryption]] features, using identity-based encryption technology licensed from Voltage Security.
The [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] incorporated Proofpoint software into their CITES Spam Control system with positive results.<ref>[http://www.news.uiuc.edu/ii/05/0317/cites.html]</ref> Government Computer News reported that their GCN Lab found the Proofpoint P800 Gateway offered “Maximum control for administrators; highly configurable; optional module prevents e-mailing of classified documents”.<ref>[http://www.gcn.com/print/24_7/35399-1.html?topic=prod_reviews]</ref>

Proofpoint introduced a new product, the Network Content Sentry, as an add-on appliance to the Content Security Suite in August, 2005.<ref>[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Proofpoint-Voltage-Team-on-EMail-Encryption/]</ref> Designed to monitor online messaging other than email, the appliance monitors Web mail, message boards, blogs and FTP-based communications. Proofpoint also introduced policy-based [[Encryption|email encryption]] features, using identity-based encryption technology licensed from Voltage Security. <ref>[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Proofpoint-Voltage-Team-on-EMail-Encryption/]</ref>

At about the same time, the Zero-Hour Anti-Virus software module was released. It was specifically designed to detect and block new [[Computer virus|computer viruses]] before their “signature” is formally identified.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/091905-proofpoint.html]</ref>

As part of a continuing product expansion related to regulation monitoring, in November, 2005, the Healthcare Privacy Bundle was released as add-on to Messaging Security Gateway appliance.<ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174401218]</ref>

Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V4.0 was released in March, 2005, with additional capabilities such as directory harvest attack prevention features and enhancements to the Proofpoint MLX Dynamic Reputation software.<ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=181500346]</ref>


====Virtual appliance development====
====Virtual appliance development====
In a step towards simpler operational requirements, the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Virtual Edition was released in April 2007. The product runs as a [[Virtual machine|virtual appliance]] on a host running VMware's virtual server software.<ref>[http://www.crn.com/security/199100674 CRN Test Center Review: A Virtual Solution To Spam, ChannelWeb, Apr 23, 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607024928/http://www.crn.com/security/199100674 |date=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> Moving a dedicated hardware appliance to a virtual server eliminates problems associated with proprietary hardware and reduces upgrade costs,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/042607-appliance-overload.html |title=When appliances get out of hand |first=Denise |last=Dubie |website=Network World |date=April 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614225048/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/042607-appliance-overload.html |archive-date=June 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> though it does require knowledge of VMware's [[VMware|virtual server architecture]].


Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V5.0 was released in June 2007, and was based on a new, integrated architecture, combining all its capabilities into a single platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=125517|title=Proofpoint Intros Proofpoint 5|website=ByteandSwitch|date=June 4, 2007|publisher=|access-date=June 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509091939/http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=125517|archive-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> It could be run either as a dedicated appliance, virtual appliance, or software suite.
In a step towards simpler operational requirements, the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Virtual Edition was released in April, 2007. The product runs as a [[Virtual machine|virtual appliance]] on a host running VMware's virtual server software.<ref>[http://www.crn.com/security/199100674]</ref> Moving a dedicated hardware appliance to a virtual server eliminates problems associated with proprietary hardware and reduces upgrade costs, <ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/042607-appliance-overload.html]</ref> though it does require knowledge of VMware's [[VMware|virtual server architecture]].


ICSA Labs, an independent division of [[Verizon Business]], announced in April 2007, that it had certified six anti-spam products under their new testing program, one of which was the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway. The goal of ICSA Labs' anti-spam product testing and certification is to evaluate product effectiveness in detecting and removing spam. The guidelines also address how well the products recognize e-mail messages from legitimate sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/icsa-labs-introduces-formal-testing-of-anti-spam-products,345941.shtml|title=Earth Times: show/icsa-labs-introduces-formal-testing-of-anti-spam-products,345941.shtml|website=EarthTimes.org|access-date=June 6, 2008|archive-date=May 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520052858/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/icsa-labs-introduces-formal-testing-of-anti-spam-products,345941.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V5.0 was released in June, 2007, and was based on a new, integrated architecture, combining all its capabilities into a single platform.<ref>[http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=125517]</ref> It could be run either as a dedicated appliance, virtual appliance, or software suite.


====Software as a service====
ICSA Labs, an independent division of [[Verizon Business|Verizon Business]], announced in April, 2007, that it had certified six anti-spam products under their new testing program, one of which was the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway. The goal of ICSA Labs' anti-spam product testing and certification is to evaluate product effectiveness in detecting and removing spam. The guidelines also address how well the products recognize e-mail messages from legitimate sources.<ref>[http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/icsa-labs-introduces-formal-testing-of-anti-spam-products,345941.shtml]</ref>
Moving into the [[Software as a service|software-as-a-service]] business, Proofpoint introduced Proofpoint on Demand, a hosted version of its email security and data loss prevention offerings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/080707-proofpoint-managed-security-service.html |title=Proofpoint jumps into security services fray |first=Cara |last=Garretson |website=Network World |date=August 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612232234/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/080707-proofpoint-managed-security-service.html |archive-date=June 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> In May, 2008, the company's hosted offerings were expanded with the introduction of Proofpoint on Demand—Standard Edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebizq.net/news/9561.html|title=Proofpoint Offers On Demand Email Security for SMBs|website=EBizQ.net|date=November 17, 2015}}</ref> The product is targeted at small-to-medium size businesses that need email security but do not run their own servers or have on-site IT personnel.


==Products==
===Software as a service===
Proofpoint products are designed to solve three business problems: advanced [[cybersecurity]] threats, regulatory [[Regulatory compliance|compliance]], and brand-impostor fraud (which it calls "digital risk"). These products work across [[email]], [[social media]], [[mobile device]]s, and the [[Cloud computing|cloud]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/feature/Proofpoint-Enterprise-Protection-Product-overview|title=Proofpoint Enterprise Protection: Product overview|work=SearchSecurity|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/feature/Proofpoint-Email-Encryption-Product-overview|title=Proofpoint Email Encryption: Product overview|work=SearchSecurity|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complianceweek.com/blogs/grc-announcements/proofpoint-releases-proofpoint-intelligent-supervision#.WNWKsRLytE7|title=Proofpoint releases Proofpoint Intelligent Supervision {{!}} Compliance Week|website=ComplianceWeek.com|access-date=March 24, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423043447/https://www.complianceweek.com/blogs/grc-announcements/proofpoint-releases-proofpoint-intelligent-supervision#.WNWKsRLytE7|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.forrester.com/report/The+Forrester+Wave+Digital+Risk+Monitoring+Q3+2016/-/E-RES117536|title=The Forrester Wave: Digital Risk Monitoring, Q3 2016|website=Forrester.com|access-date=March 14, 2017}}</ref>


===Email security===
Moving into the [[Software as a service|software-as-a-service]] business, Proofpoint introduced Proofpoint on Demand, a hosted version of its email security and data loss prevention offerings.<ref>[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/080707-proofpoint-managed-security-service.html]</ref> In May, 2008, the company’s hosted offerings were expanded with the introduction of Proofpoint on Demand—Standard Edition.<ref>[http://www.ebizq.net/news/9561.html]</ref> The product is targeted at small-to-medium size businesses that need email security but do not run their own servers or have on-site IT personnel.
Proofpoint offers software or [[SaaS]] aimed at different facets of email security. Its flagship product the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway.<ref>{{cite web |title=Email Protection |url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/products/email-protection |website=Proofpoint |date=October 10, 2019 |accessdate=9 November 2020}}</ref> The Messaging Security Gateway is a web-based application that offers spam protection; based on both user defined rules as well as dynamically updated definitions,<ref>{{cite web |title=Proofpoint Spam Detection |url=https://proofpointcommunities.force.com/community/s/article/Spam-Detection |website=proofpoint Spam Detection |publisher=Proofpoint, Inc. |accessdate=9 November 2020}}</ref> anti-virus scanning, and configurable email firewall rules. The spam-protection service, however, results in many false positives of legitimate email servers and blocks IPs. A webform is provided to request an IP be unblocked, but they are non-responsive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5083175|title=Proofpoint blocking emails|date=Jun 5, 2013|website=discussions.apple.com|access-date=November 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linode.com/community/questions/20564/ip-address-blocked-by-proofpoint|title=IP Address blocked by Proofpoint
|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=linode.com community questions}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/a2p410/proofpoint_wont_unblock_me/|title=ProofPoint won't unblock me...|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=reddit.com sysadmin subreddit|date=December 3, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/proofpoint/comments/svgu7b/no_response_from_proofpoint_after_ip_addresss_is/|title=No response from proofpoint after ip addresss is blocked without any reason|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=reddit.com proofpoint subreddit|date=February 18, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://discourse.mailinabox.email/t/proofpoint-ip-is-blocked/9422|title=Proofpoint - IP is blocked|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=discourse.mailinabox.email|date=August 22, 2022 }}</ref>


In June 2008, Proofpoint acquired Fortiva, Inc., a provider of on-demand email archiving software for legal discovery, regulatory compliance and email storage management.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS117849+24-Jun-2008+PRN20080624]</ref>
Additionally, in June 2008, Proofpoint acquired [[Fortiva]], Inc., a provider of on-demand [[email archiving]] software for legal discovery, regulatory compliance and email storage management.<ref name="Fortiva">{{cite web|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2281114/proofpoint-acquires-fortiva.html|title=Proofpoint acquires Fortiva|first=Robert|last=McMillan|date=June 24, 2008|website=Network World}}</ref> Fortiva used Exchange journaling to automatically archive all internal and external communications so that end users can search all archived messages, including attachments, directly from a search folder in Outlook.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://threatpost.com/fbi-email-scams-take-3-1-billion-toll-on-businesses/118696/|title=FBI: Email Scams Take $3.1 Billion Toll on Businesses|date=June 15, 2016|work=Threatpost {{!}} The first stop for security news|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref>


===Cybersecurity===
==Overall timeline==
Proofpoint's security portfolio includes products that stop both traditional [[cyberattack]]s (delivered via malicious attachments and URLs) and socially engineered attacks—such as [[business email compromise]] (BEC) and credential phishing—that do not use [[malware]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/opinion/wiping-out-email-fraud/news-story/c854fde5d09225aebb4ac120dd1e3e1e|title=Wiping out email fraud|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618123646/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/opinion/wiping-out-email-fraud/news-story/c854fde5d09225aebb4ac120dd1e3e1e |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=unfit}}</ref> It uses a blend of sandbox analysis, reputational analysis, automated threat data, human threat intelligence and attributes such as sender/recipient relationship, headers, and content, and more to detect potential threats. Automated [[encryption]], data-loss prevention and forensics-gathering tools are designed to speed incident response and mitigate the damage and costs of any threats that do get through. The portfolio also includes protection from social-media account takeovers, harmful [[mobile app]]s, and rogue [[Wi-Fi|Wi-Fi networks]].
*Jun 2002 Proofpoint, Inc. founded by Eric Hahn


===Regulatory compliance===
*Jul 2003 Raises $7 million series A funding round
Proofpoint's compliance products are designed to reduce the manual labor involved in identifying potentially sensitive data, managing and supervising it in compliance with government and industry rules, and producing it quickly in [[e-discovery]] legal requests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/proofpoint-announces-intelligent-supervision-and-compliance-gateway-help-customers-finra-and-sec|title=Proofpoint Announces Intelligent Supervision and Compliance Gateway to Help Customers with FINRA and SEC Audits {{!}} Proofpoint|website=Proofpoint.com|date=June 2016|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref>


===Digital risk===
*Oct 2003 $9 million in Series B funding led by New York-based RRE Ventures
Proofpoint's digital risk products are aimed at companies seeking to stop [[Cyber criminals|cybercriminals]] from impersonating their brand to harm customers, partners, and the brand's reputation. Its email digital risk portfolio includes authentication technology to prevent email domain spoofing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forrester.com/report/The+Forrester+Wave+Digital+Risk+Monitoring+Q3+2016/-/E-RES117536|title=The Forrester Wave: Digital Risk Monitoring, Q3 2016|website=Forrester.com|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> On social media, it stops scams in which fraudsters create fake customer-service accounts to find people seeking help over social media and trick them into handing over account credentials or visiting a malicious website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/294811/|title=Social Media Phishing Soars, New Trend Is Fake Customer Service|website=Mediapost.com|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> And in mobile, it finds counterfeit apps distributed through mobile app stores.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/mobile-devices-what-could-go-wrong-a-9718|title=Mobile Devices: What Could Go Wrong?|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref>


On October 23, 2014 Proofpoint acquired Nexgate, Inc., a social media and security compliance vendor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proofpoint acquires Nexgate for $35 million |url=https://www.scmagazine.com/proofpoint-finalizes-nexgate-acquisition/article/538320/ |website=SC Media |date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> On November 4, 2015 Proofpoint acquired Socialware Inc., a compliance workflow & content capture and review technology company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.owler.com/reports/nexgate/nexgate-blog-proofpoint-acquires-socialware--expan/1450358765297|title=nexgate-blog-proofpoint-acquires-socialware--expan|website=Owler.com|access-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref>
*Oct 2003 Stuart Ellman, RRE Ventures general partner, joins Proofpoint's Board of Directors


==Acquisitions==
*Mar 2005 Strategic partnerships with four email encryption vendors
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date
! Company
! Terms
|-
|October 2024
|Normalyze
|Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kovacs |first=Edward |title=Proofpoint to Acquire Data Security Posture Management Firm Normalyze |url=https://www.securityweek.com/proofpoint-to-acquire-data-security-posture-management-firm-normalyze/ |website=SecurityWeek |date=2024-10-29 |accessdate=2024-10-30 |language=en-us}}</ref>
|-
|November 2023
|Tessian Limited
|Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Tim |date=2023-10-30 |title=Evolution of AI-Powered Email Defense: Proofpoint Announces Intent to Acquire Tessian |url=https://www.tessian.com/blog/proofpoint-announces-intent-to-acquire-tessian/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Tessian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Tessian {{!}} Proofpoint US |url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoint-signs-definitive-agreement-acquire-tessian |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Proofpoint |language=en-us}}</ref>
|-
|December 2022
|[[Illusive Networks]]
|Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{cite press release |title=Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Illusive |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/12/12/2571547/35374/en/Proofpoint-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-Illusive.html |agency=[[GlobeNewswire]] |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref>
|-
|January 2022
|[[Dathena Science]]
|Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{cite press release |title=Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Dathena |url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoint-completes-acquisition-dathena-strengthens-enterprise-information |website=Proofpoint |access-date=2024-01-09}}</ref>
|-
| May 2020
| The Defence Works <ref>{{Cite web|title=Proofpoint's (PFPT) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, View Slashed|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/proofpoints-pfpt-q1-earnings-top-142302861.html|website=Finance.Yahoo.com|date=May 8, 2020 |access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref>
| Less than $5 million
|-
| November 3, 2019
| ObserveIT <ref name="proofpoint.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoint-enters-definitive-agreement-acquire-observeit-225-million-cash|title=Proofpoint Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire ObserveIT for $225 Million in Cash; Extending Leadership in People-Centric Security and Compliance to Deliver Post-Perimeter Data Loss Prevention {{!}} Proofpoint US|date=2019-11-03|website=Proofpoint.com|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
| $225 million in cash<ref name="proofpoint.com"/>
|-
| May 6, 2019
| Meta Networks<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metanetworks.com/|title=Software-Defined Perimeter in the Cloud|website=Meta Networks|access-date=June 1, 2019}}</ref>
| $120 million in cash and stock<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2019/05/08/proofpoint-meta-networks/|title=Proofpoint acquires Meta Networks to strengthen its cloud-based architecture and its security platform|date=May 8, 2019|website=Help Net Security}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/proofpoint-acquires-meta-networks-1/|title=Proofpoint Acquires Meta Networks for Nearly $120m|last=Zurkus|first=Kacy|date=May 7, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Feb 6, 2018
| Wombat Security Technologies, Inc
| $225M Cash and stock<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2018/02/06/wombat-security-acquired-for-225m-by-silicon.html?ana=twt|title=Wombat Security acquired for $225M by Silicon Valley cybersecurity company|last=Stacey|first=Federoff|date=February 6, 2018|website=Pittsburgh Business Times|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2018/03/01/proofpoint-completes-wombat-acquisition-aims-to.html?ana=twt|title=Proofpoint completes Wombat acquisition, aims to increase revenue by millions|last=Bunny|first=Lian|date=March 1, 2018|website=Pittsburgh Business Times|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Nov 29, 2017
| Weblife.io
| $60M Cash<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoint-enters-definitive-agreement-acquire-weblife-60-million-extends|title=Proofpoint Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Weblife for $60 million; Extends Protection Capabilities to Enterprise Users' Web-based Personal Email|website=Proofpoint.com|date=November 29, 2017|access-date=2017-11-29}}</ref>
|-
| Nov 7, 2017
| Cloudmark
| $110M in Cash<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/07/proofpoint-acquires-cloudmark-for-100m-in-cybersecurity-consolidation-play/?ncid=rss|title=Proofpoint acquires Cloudmark for $110M in cybersecurity consolidation play|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-11-07}}</ref>
|-
| Oct 20, 2016
| FireLayers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geektime.com/2016/10/21/proofpoint-acquires-firelayers-and-announces-new-anti-malware-tool-for-2017/|title=Proofpoint acquires Israeli Firelayers for $55 million|date=21 October 2016|publisher=}}</ref>
| $55M in Cash & Stock<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israel21c.org/proofpoint-pays-55-million-for-israels-firelayers/|title=Proofpoint pays $55 million for Israel's FireLayers|first=Viva Sarah|last=Press|website=Israel21c|date=October 25, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| Aug. 24, 2016
| Return Path<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.investors.com/news/technology/proofpoint-battens-against-spoofers-phishers-with-18-million-buy/ |title=Proofpoint Battens Against Spoofers, Phishers With $18 Million Buy |first=Allison |last=Gatlin |work=[[Investor's Business Daily]] |date=2016-08-25 |access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
| $18M - Email Fraud Protection division<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sso.451research.com/module.php/core/loginuserpass.php?AuthState=_e08257ed5dbd45af73f9ac8cb1bd80198f0ba72873%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fsso.451research.com%2Fsaml2%2Fidp%2FSSOService.php%3Fspentityid%3Dpi-auth%26cookieTime%3D1560114651%26RelayState%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faccess.451research.com%252Flogin-success%253Freturn_url%253D%252Freportaction%252F90079%252FToc%253F%2526entityId%253D90079|title=451 Research User Login|website=sso.451research.com}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
| Nov 4, 2015
| Socialware<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/DJFVW00120151104ebb4rw2i2|title=Cybersecurity Company Proofpoint Acquires Socialware|date=4 November 2015|publisher=|website=WSJ.com}}</ref>
| $9M (terms undisclosed)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/11/04/sunnyvales-proofpoint-acquires-texas-social.html |title=Proofpoint acquires Texas social group |date=November 4, 2015 |website=BizJournals.com |format=PDF |access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|August 2015
|Marble Security
|Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novinson |first=Michael |title=Proofpoint Buys Mobile App Threat Identification Assets |url=https://www.crn.com/news/security/300077673/proofpoint-buys-mobile-app-threat-identification-company |website=[[CRN_(magazine) |CRN]] |date=2015-08-05 |accessdate=2024-10-30 |language=en-us}}</ref>
|-
| Mar 2, 2015
| Emerging Threats<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/DJFVW00120150302eb32phgch|title=Proofpoint to Acquire Emerging Threats for $40M|date=2 March 2015|publisher=|website=WSJ.com}}</ref>
| $40M in Cash & Stock<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eweek.com/security/proofpoint-acquires-emerging-threats-for-40-million|title=Proofpoint Acquires Emerging Threats for $40 Million|website=eWEEK|date=March 3, 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Oct 23, 2014
| Nexgate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/proofpoint-acquires-nexgate-for-35-million/|title=Proofpoint acquires Nexgate for $35 million|date=24 October 2014|website=SC Media}}</ref>
| $35M in Cash<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/10/23/proofpoint-gets-into-social-media-security-with.html |title=Proofpoint gets into social media |date=October 23, 2014 |website=BizJournals.com |format=PDF |access-date=2019-06-09}}</ref>
|-
| May 20, 2014
| NetCitadel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/proofpoint-acquires-netcitadel-in-24m-deal/|title=Proofpoint acquires NetCitadel in $24M deal|date=20 May 2014|website=SC Media}}</ref>
| $24M in Cash<ref>{{cite web|url=https://451research.com/search?company=Proofpoint&company_coverage=primary|title=Search Results|website=451research.com}}</ref>
|-
| Oct 1, 2013
| [[Sendmail, Inc.]]
| $23M (terms undisclosed)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/DJFVW00020131001e9a1uwekg|title=Proofpoint Acquires Sendmail for $23M in Cash|date=2 October 2013|publisher=|website=WSJ.com}}</ref>
|-
| Aug 9, 2013
| Armorize Technologies<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.securityweek.com/proofpoint-acquire-armorize-technologies-25-million|title=Proofpoint to Acquire Armorize Technologies for $25 Million - SecurityWeek.Com|website=SecurityWeek.com|date=August 9, 2013 }}</ref>
| $25M in Cash<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crn.com/news/security/240159768/proofpoint-seals-25-million-deal-for-armorize-technologies.htm|title=Proofpoint Seals $25 Million Deal For Armorize Technologies|first=Robert|last=Westervelt|date=August 9, 2013|website=CRN}}</ref>
|-
| Jul 25, 2013
| Abaca Technology Corporation<ref name="bloomberg.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=39105800|title=Abaca Technology Corporation: Private Company Information - Bloomberg|website=Bloomberg.com|date=July 6, 2023 }}</ref>
| Undisclosed Terms<ref name="bloomberg.com"/>
|-
| Jan 28, 2012
| NextPage<ref name="archive.sltrib.com">{{cite web|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53341439&itype=cmsid|title=California company buys Utah's NextPage|website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref>
| Undisclosed Terms<ref name="archive.sltrib.com" />
|-
| Oct 31, 2009
| Everyone.net
| Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{cite web |title=Proofpoint Acquires Everyone.net |url=https://mergr.com/proofpoint-acquires-everyone.net |website=Mergr |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref>
|-
| August 1, 2008
| Secure Data In Motion
| Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{cite web |title=Proofpoint Acquires Secure Data In Motion |url=https://mergr.com/proofpoint-acquires-secure-data-in-motion |website=Mergr |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref>
|-
| June 24, 2008
| [[Fortiva]]
| Undisclosed Terms<ref>{{cite web |title=Proofpoint Acquires Fortiva |url=https://mergr.com/proofpoint-acquires-fortiva |website=Mergr |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref>
|}


==References==
*Mar 2006 Additional $20 million raised in venture capital

*May 2006 Sydney, Australia, office opens

*Feb 2008 Additional $28 million raised from DAG Ventures

*Jun 2008 Proofpoint, Inc. Acquires SaaS Email Archiving Vendor Fortiva, Inc.

*Sep 2008 Gartner positions Proofpoint in the Leaders quadrant in the 2008 Magic Quadrant for Email Security Boundaries <ref>[http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/proofpoint-positioned-in-leaders-quadrant-in-2008-email-security-magic-quadrant,539673.shtml]</ref>

== Technology timeline (product releases) ==
*Jul 2003 Launches first product, Proofpoint Protection Server software

*Nov 2003 Product upgrade incorporates MLX Learning Technology

*Mar 2004 Introduces first appliance, P-Series Message Protection Appliance

*Nov 2004 Protection Server 3.0 with Email Firewall and MLX-based Dynamic Reputation Analysis

*Nov 2004 Content Security Suite, plug-in modules for digital asset security and regulation monitoring

*Mar 2005 Proofpoint provides hosted anti-spam services

*Aug 2005 Network Content Sentry introduced as add-on appliance to Content Security Suite along with Secure Messaging (email encryption) software module

*Sep 2005 Zero-Hour Anti-Virus software module released

*Nov 2005 Healthcare Privacy Bundle released as add-on to Messaging Security Gateway appliance

*Mar 2006 Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V4.0 released

*Apr 2007 Messaging Security Gateway Virtual Edition is released

*Jun 2007 Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V5.0 released

*Aug 2007 Proofpoint On Demand is released

*May 2008 Proofpoint On Demand—Standard Edition is released, Proofpoint Secure File Transfer software module released

*Jun 2008 Proofpoint On Demand Email Archiving is released

==Products and services==
Proofpoint’s product line is available in four different deployment form factors:

'''Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway''' messaging security appliance, available in a variety of models for both large enterprises and SMBs

'''Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Virtual Edition''' messaging security virtual appliance for VMware Infrastructure.

'''Proofpoint Protection Server''' software for Linux

'''Proofpoint on Demand''' hosted email security and data loss prevention service

Add-on modules that address various email security or data loss prevention issues include:

'''Proofpoint Spam Detection''' for defense against spam, adult content and phishing attacks. For connection management, Proofpoint Dynamic Reputation and netMLX technology are also offered.

'''Proofpoint Virus Protection'''™ defends against email-borne viruses, worms, trojans
and other forms of malicious code.

'''Proofpoint Zero-Hour Anti-Virus''' protects against emerging viruses before anti-virus signatures are available

'''Proofpoint Content Compliance''' for defining and enforcing acceptable use policies for message content and attachments

'''Proofpoint Digital Asset Security''' for protecting sensitive digital assets and
confidential information from leaking outside the organization via email.

'''Proofpoint Regulatory Compliance''' for detecting protected health information, protected financial information and other sensitive content in outbound messages

'''Proofpoint Secure Messaging''' for policy-based encryption functionality.

'''Proofpoint Network Content Sentry''' extends Proofpoint’s content security and policy enforcement features to web-based email, blog and message board postings, FTP and other message streams.

'''Proofpoint Smart Search''' is a separate appliance that adds message tracing, forensics and log analytics features

'''Proofpoint Secure File Transfer''' adds secure, large file transfer capabilities.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small">
*[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/07/21/story4.html?t=printable San Jose Business Journal, Jul 18, 2003]
*[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/10/13/daily16.html San Jose Business Journal, Oct 14, 2003]
*[http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/07/21/story4.html?t=printable San Jose Business Journal, Jul 18, 2003]
*[http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17100348 InformationWeek Research's Outlook 2004 Survey]
*[http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=59300834 Information Week, Feb 3, 2005]
*[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2003/1103proofpoint.html Network World, Nov 3, 2003]
*[http://www.forrester.com/ER/Press/Release/0,1769,870,00.html Forrester Press Release, Dec 12, 2003]
*[http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/13498/ Technology Review, Mar 2004]
*[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2004/0315proofpoint.html Network World, Mar 2004]
*[http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/28/22TCspam_1.html InfoWorld, May 2004]
*[http://www.crn.com/it-channel/54200259 ChannelWeb, Nov 2004]
*[http://media.www.browndailyherald.com/media/storage/paper472/news/2005/02/15/CampusNews/New-System.Blocks.90000.Spam.EMails.In.First.24.Hours-864349.shtml Brown Daily Herald, Apr 2008]
*[http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/11/08/45NNmes_1.html Infoworld, Nov 2004]
*[http://www.news.uiuc.edu/ii/05/0317/cites.html News Bureau, Mar 2005]
*[http://www.gcn.com/print/24_7/35399-1.html?topic=prod_reviews Government Computer News, Apr 2005]
*[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Proofpoint-Voltage-Team-on-EMail-Encryption/ eWeek, Aug 2005]
*[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Proofpoint-Voltage-Team-on-EMail-Encryption/ Network World, Aug 2005]
*[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/091905-proofpoint.html Network World, Sep 2005]
*[http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174401218 CMP TechWeb Compliance Pipeline, Nov 2005]
*[http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=181500346 Information Week, Mar 2006]
*[http://www.crn.com/security/199100674 ChannelWeb, Apr 2007]
*[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/042607-appliance-overload.html Network World, Apr 2007]
*[http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=125517 CMP ByteandSwitch, Jun, 2007]
*[http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/icsa-labs-introduces-formal-testing-of-anti-spam-products,345941.shtml Earth Times, Apr 2007]
*[http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/080707-proofpoint-managed-security-service.html NetworkWorld, Aug 2008]
*[http://www.ebizq.net/news/9561.html ebiz, May 2008]
*[http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS117849+24-Jun-2008+PRN20080624 Reuters, Jun 2008]
*[http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS98067+15-Sep-2008+MW20080915 Reuters, Sep 2008]
</div>


== External links ==
==External links==
* {{Official website}}
*[http://www.proofpoint.com/ Proofpoint, Inc. corporate website]
*[http://www.fortiva.com/ Fortiva Inc. corporate website]
*[http://www.proofpoint.com/id/wik_email_security Proofpoint Research References - Email Security]


[[Category:Companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Silicon Valley]]
[[Category:2012 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:Networking companies of the United States]]
[[Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Spam filtering]]
[[Category:Anti-spam]]
[[Category:Anti-spam]]
[[Category:Antivirus software]]
[[Category:Companies based in Sunnyvale, California]]
[[Category:Security software]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq]]
[[Category:Computer archives]]
[[Category:Computer security software companies]]
[[Category:Networking companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Software companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Software companies established in 2002]]
[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Thoma Bravo companies]]

Latest revision as of 01:17, 7 December 2024

Not to be confused with Proofpoint Systems, Inc..

Proofpoint, Inc.
Company typePrivate
Nasdaq: PFPT
IndustrySecurity software
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
FounderEric Hahn
Headquarters
Sunnyvale, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
Offices worldwide: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States (California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia)[1]
Key people
Sumit Dhawan (CEO)
Marcel DePaolis (CTO)
Rémi Thomas (CFO)
ProductsIdentity threat defense
Email filtering
Email privacy
Email encryption
Email archiving
Anti-spam techniques
Electronic discovery
Data loss prevention software
RevenueIncrease US$1.050 billion (2020)[2]
Increase –US$95.196 million (2020)[2]
Decrease –US$163.809 million (2020)[2]
Total assetsIncrease US$2.498 billion (2020)[2]
Total equityDecrease US$441.744 million (2020)[2]
OwnerThoma Bravo
Number of employees
3,658 (2020)[2]
Websitewww.proofpoint.com Edit this at Wikidata
Proofpoint office in Toronto

Proofpoint, Inc. is an American enterprise cybersecurity company based in Sunnyvale, California that provides software as a service and products for email security, identity threat defense, data loss prevention, electronic discovery, and email archiving.

In 2021, Proofpoint was acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $12.3 billion.[3]

History

[edit]

Company

[edit]

The company was founded in July 2002 by Eric Hahn, formerly the CTO of Netscape Communications. It launched July 21, 2003, after raising a $7 million Series A funding round, releasing its first product, and lining up six customers as references, and was backed by venture investors Benchmark Capital and Stanford University.[4] An additional $9 million in Series B funding led by New York-based RRE Ventures was announced in October, 2003.[5]

Proofpoint became a publicly traded company in April 2012. At the time of its initial public offering (IPO), the company's shares traded at $13 apiece; investors purchased more than 6.3 million shares through the IPO, raising more than $80 million.[6]

On April 26, 2021, Proofpoint announced that it had agreed to be acquired by the private equity firm Thoma Bravo.[7]

Proofpoint co-founder & chairman Eric Hahn (left) with then-CEO Gary Steele (right) at Proofpoint's 15th-anniversary celebration

Product history

[edit]

The company's first product was the Proofpoint Protection Server (PPS) for medium and large businesses. It incorporated what was described as "MLX Technology", proprietary machine learning algorithms applied to the problem of accurately identifying spam email using 10,000 different attributes to differentiate between spam and valid email. The company joined dozens of other anti-spam software providers[4] in a business opportunity fueled by an exponential increase in spam volume that was threatening worker productivity, making spam a top business priority.[8] According to the 2004 National Technology Readinesed the number of spam detection attributes to more than 50,000[ambiguous].[9]

In 2004, strict new HIPAA regulations governing financial disclosures and the privacy of health care data prompted Proofpoint to begin developing new products that would automatically identify and intercept outbound email containing sensitive information.[10]

In March 2004, Proofpoint introduced its first hardware appliance, the P-Series Message Protection Appliance (later renamed Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway), using a hardened Linux kernel and Proofpoint's Protection Server 2.0 software.[11] It was tested by Infoworld and found to stop 94% of spam.[12]

Another product introduction in November 2004 included Protection Server 3.0, with Email Firewall and MLX-based Dynamic Reputation Analysis, and the Content Security Suite, plug-in modules designed for scanning outbound messages and their attachments to assist in compliance with data protection regulations such as Sarbanes–Oxley, HIPAA, and Gramm–Leach–Bliley. In combination, this was known as the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Appliance. It was reviewed by ChannelWeb, which observed that it used a "combination of technologies: policy-based management, a spam-filtering engine and adaptive learning technology."[13]

Proofpoint introduced a new product, the Network Content Sentry, as an add-on appliance to the Content Security Suite in August 2005.[14] Designed to monitor online messaging other than email, the appliance monitors Web mail, message boards, blogs and FTP-based communications. Proofpoint also introduced policy-based email encryption features, using identity-based encryption technology licensed from Voltage Security.

Virtual appliance development

[edit]

In a step towards simpler operational requirements, the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway Virtual Edition was released in April 2007. The product runs as a virtual appliance on a host running VMware's virtual server software.[15] Moving a dedicated hardware appliance to a virtual server eliminates problems associated with proprietary hardware and reduces upgrade costs,[16] though it does require knowledge of VMware's virtual server architecture.

Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway V5.0 was released in June 2007, and was based on a new, integrated architecture, combining all its capabilities into a single platform.[17] It could be run either as a dedicated appliance, virtual appliance, or software suite.

ICSA Labs, an independent division of Verizon Business, announced in April 2007, that it had certified six anti-spam products under their new testing program, one of which was the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway. The goal of ICSA Labs' anti-spam product testing and certification is to evaluate product effectiveness in detecting and removing spam. The guidelines also address how well the products recognize e-mail messages from legitimate sources.[18]

Software as a service

[edit]

Moving into the software-as-a-service business, Proofpoint introduced Proofpoint on Demand, a hosted version of its email security and data loss prevention offerings.[19] In May, 2008, the company's hosted offerings were expanded with the introduction of Proofpoint on Demand—Standard Edition.[20] The product is targeted at small-to-medium size businesses that need email security but do not run their own servers or have on-site IT personnel.

Products

[edit]

Proofpoint products are designed to solve three business problems: advanced cybersecurity threats, regulatory compliance, and brand-impostor fraud (which it calls "digital risk"). These products work across email, social media, mobile devices, and the cloud.[21][22][23][24]

Email security

[edit]

Proofpoint offers software or SaaS aimed at different facets of email security. Its flagship product the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway.[25] The Messaging Security Gateway is a web-based application that offers spam protection; based on both user defined rules as well as dynamically updated definitions,[26] anti-virus scanning, and configurable email firewall rules. The spam-protection service, however, results in many false positives of legitimate email servers and blocks IPs. A webform is provided to request an IP be unblocked, but they are non-responsive.[27][28][29][30][31]

Additionally, in June 2008, Proofpoint acquired Fortiva, Inc., a provider of on-demand email archiving software for legal discovery, regulatory compliance and email storage management.[32] Fortiva used Exchange journaling to automatically archive all internal and external communications so that end users can search all archived messages, including attachments, directly from a search folder in Outlook.[33]

Cybersecurity

[edit]

Proofpoint's security portfolio includes products that stop both traditional cyberattacks (delivered via malicious attachments and URLs) and socially engineered attacks—such as business email compromise (BEC) and credential phishing—that do not use malware.[34] It uses a blend of sandbox analysis, reputational analysis, automated threat data, human threat intelligence and attributes such as sender/recipient relationship, headers, and content, and more to detect potential threats. Automated encryption, data-loss prevention and forensics-gathering tools are designed to speed incident response and mitigate the damage and costs of any threats that do get through. The portfolio also includes protection from social-media account takeovers, harmful mobile apps, and rogue Wi-Fi networks.

Regulatory compliance

[edit]

Proofpoint's compliance products are designed to reduce the manual labor involved in identifying potentially sensitive data, managing and supervising it in compliance with government and industry rules, and producing it quickly in e-discovery legal requests.[35]

Digital risk

[edit]

Proofpoint's digital risk products are aimed at companies seeking to stop cybercriminals from impersonating their brand to harm customers, partners, and the brand's reputation. Its email digital risk portfolio includes authentication technology to prevent email domain spoofing.[36] On social media, it stops scams in which fraudsters create fake customer-service accounts to find people seeking help over social media and trick them into handing over account credentials or visiting a malicious website.[37] And in mobile, it finds counterfeit apps distributed through mobile app stores.[38]

On October 23, 2014 Proofpoint acquired Nexgate, Inc., a social media and security compliance vendor.[39] On November 4, 2015 Proofpoint acquired Socialware Inc., a compliance workflow & content capture and review technology company.[40]

Acquisitions

[edit]
Date Company Terms
October 2024 Normalyze Undisclosed Terms[41]
November 2023 Tessian Limited Undisclosed Terms[42][43]
December 2022 Illusive Networks Undisclosed Terms[44]
January 2022 Dathena Science Undisclosed Terms[45]
May 2020 The Defence Works [46] Less than $5 million
November 3, 2019 ObserveIT [47] $225 million in cash[47]
May 6, 2019 Meta Networks[48] $120 million in cash and stock[49][50]
Feb 6, 2018 Wombat Security Technologies, Inc $225M Cash and stock[51][52]
Nov 29, 2017 Weblife.io $60M Cash[53]
Nov 7, 2017 Cloudmark $110M in Cash[54]
Oct 20, 2016 FireLayers[55] $55M in Cash & Stock[56]
Aug. 24, 2016 Return Path[57] $18M - Email Fraud Protection division[58]
Nov 4, 2015 Socialware[59] $9M (terms undisclosed)[60]
August 2015 Marble Security Undisclosed Terms[61]
Mar 2, 2015 Emerging Threats[62] $40M in Cash & Stock[63]
Oct 23, 2014 Nexgate[64] $35M in Cash[65]
May 20, 2014 NetCitadel[66] $24M in Cash[67]
Oct 1, 2013 Sendmail, Inc. $23M (terms undisclosed)[68]
Aug 9, 2013 Armorize Technologies[69] $25M in Cash[70]
Jul 25, 2013 Abaca Technology Corporation[71] Undisclosed Terms[71]
Jan 28, 2012 NextPage[72] Undisclosed Terms[72]
Oct 31, 2009 Everyone.net Undisclosed Terms[73]
August 1, 2008 Secure Data In Motion Undisclosed Terms[74]
June 24, 2008 Fortiva Undisclosed Terms[75]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Office Locations". Proofpoint. August 30, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Proofpoint, Inc. 2020 Annual Report" (PDF). Proofpoint.com. December 31, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of Proofpoint" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. August 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Lacy, Sarah (July 20, 2003). "Proofpoint Joins Anti-Spam Crowd". BizJournals.com. (fee required). Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  5. ^ Proofpoint adds funding, San Jose Business Journal, Oct 14, 2003.
  6. ^ "Proofpoint and Infoblox Rise on Debuts". The New York Times. April 20, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  7. ^ "Proofpoint Agreed To Be Acquired By Thoma Bravo". April 26, 2021.
  8. ^ Fighting Spam, Fueling Growth, InformationWeek Research's Outlook 2004 Survey Archived December 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ Proofpoint improves spam prevention, Nov 3, 2003, NetworkWorld Archived May 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Review, Technology. "E-Mail Inspector". MIT Technology Review.
  11. ^ IronPort, Proofpoint appliances target spam, NetworkWorld, March 15, 2004 Archived May 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ BorderWare and Proofpoint boxes are both capable spam combatants, Infoworld, May 28, 2004 Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "ProofPoint Appliance Stands Guard At E-Mail Gate", ChannelWeb, November 26, 2004
  14. ^ "Proofpoint, Voltage Team on E-Mail Encryption"[permanent dead link‍], eweek.com, August 1, 2005.
  15. ^ CRN Test Center Review: A Virtual Solution To Spam, ChannelWeb, Apr 23, 2007 Archived June 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Dubie, Denise (April 4, 2007). "When appliances get out of hand". Network World. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
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  32. ^ McMillan, Robert (June 24, 2008). "Proofpoint acquires Fortiva". Network World.
  33. ^ "FBI: Email Scams Take $3.1 Billion Toll on Businesses". Threatpost | The first stop for security news. June 15, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  34. ^ "Wiping out email fraud". June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
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  36. ^ "The Forrester Wave: Digital Risk Monitoring, Q3 2016". Forrester.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  37. ^ "Social Media Phishing Soars, New Trend Is Fake Customer Service". Mediapost.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  38. ^ "Mobile Devices: What Could Go Wrong?". Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  39. ^ "Proofpoint acquires Nexgate for $35 million". SC Media. October 24, 2014.
  40. ^ "nexgate-blog-proofpoint-acquires-socialware--expan". Owler.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  41. ^ Kovacs, Edward (October 29, 2024). "Proofpoint to Acquire Data Security Posture Management Firm Normalyze". SecurityWeek. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  42. ^ Sadler, Tim (October 30, 2023). "Evolution of AI-Powered Email Defense: Proofpoint Announces Intent to Acquire Tessian". Tessian. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  43. ^ "Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Tessian | Proofpoint US". Proofpoint. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  44. ^ "Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Illusive" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  45. ^ "Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Dathena". Proofpoint (Press release). Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  46. ^ "Proofpoint's (PFPT) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, View Slashed". Finance.Yahoo.com. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  47. ^ a b "Proofpoint Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire ObserveIT for $225 Million in Cash; Extending Leadership in People-Centric Security and Compliance to Deliver Post-Perimeter Data Loss Prevention | Proofpoint US". Proofpoint.com. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  48. ^ "Software-Defined Perimeter in the Cloud". Meta Networks. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  49. ^ "Proofpoint acquires Meta Networks to strengthen its cloud-based architecture and its security platform". Help Net Security. May 8, 2019.
  50. ^ Zurkus, Kacy (May 7, 2019). "Proofpoint Acquires Meta Networks for Nearly $120m".
  51. ^ Stacey, Federoff (February 6, 2018). "Wombat Security acquired for $225M by Silicon Valley cybersecurity company". Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  52. ^ Bunny, Lian (March 1, 2018). "Proofpoint completes Wombat acquisition, aims to increase revenue by millions". Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  53. ^ "Proofpoint Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Weblife for $60 million; Extends Protection Capabilities to Enterprise Users' Web-based Personal Email". Proofpoint.com. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  54. ^ Lunden, Ingrid. "Proofpoint acquires Cloudmark for $110M in cybersecurity consolidation play". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  55. ^ "Proofpoint acquires Israeli Firelayers for $55 million". October 21, 2016.
  56. ^ Press, Viva Sarah (October 25, 2016). "Proofpoint pays $55 million for Israel's FireLayers". Israel21c.
  57. ^ Gatlin, Allison (August 25, 2016). "Proofpoint Battens Against Spoofers, Phishers With $18 Million Buy". Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  58. ^ "451 Research User Login". sso.451research.com.[permanent dead link‍]
  59. ^ "Cybersecurity Company Proofpoint Acquires Socialware". WSJ.com. November 4, 2015.
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  61. ^ Novinson, Michael (August 5, 2015). "Proofpoint Buys Mobile App Threat Identification Assets". CRN. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  62. ^ "Proofpoint to Acquire Emerging Threats for $40M". WSJ.com. March 2, 2015.
  63. ^ "Proofpoint Acquires Emerging Threats for $40 Million". eWEEK. March 3, 2015.
  64. ^ "Proofpoint acquires Nexgate for $35 million". SC Media. October 24, 2014.
  65. ^ "Proofpoint gets into social media" (PDF). BizJournals.com. October 23, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  66. ^ "Proofpoint acquires NetCitadel in $24M deal". SC Media. May 20, 2014.
  67. ^ "Search Results". 451research.com.
  68. ^ "Proofpoint Acquires Sendmail for $23M in Cash". WSJ.com. October 2, 2013.
  69. ^ "Proofpoint to Acquire Armorize Technologies for $25 Million - SecurityWeek.Com". SecurityWeek.com. August 9, 2013.
  70. ^ Westervelt, Robert (August 9, 2013). "Proofpoint Seals $25 Million Deal For Armorize Technologies". CRN.
  71. ^ a b "Abaca Technology Corporation: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". Bloomberg.com. July 6, 2023.
  72. ^ a b "California company buys Utah's NextPage". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  73. ^ "Proofpoint Acquires Everyone.net". Mergr. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  74. ^ "Proofpoint Acquires Secure Data In Motion". Mergr. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  75. ^ "Proofpoint Acquires Fortiva". Mergr. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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