Barracuda Networks this week moved to extend the types of security services its partners can offer by acquiring PhishLine, a provider of security simulation application designed to educate end users on how to recognize phishing and other cybersecurity attacks based on social engineering attacks. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Delivered as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, Hatem Naguib, senior vice president and general manager of the Security Business Unit at Barracuda Networks, says that the PhishLine service is a natural complement to the company’s existing portfolio of email security software and Sentinel security intelligence software. In the future, all investments Barracuda Networks is making in artificial intelligence (AI) will be applied to all three services.
Given all the customer interest in end-user security education these days Naguib says it’s not clear whether partners will lead with email security software or security training software. Naguib says Barracuda Networks is exploring the opportunity to create a suite spanning all of it security-as-a-service offerings. The PhishLine service is sold on a per user / per year licensing model that is in line with the licensing model Barracuda Networks employs to sell the rest of its cloud-based security service portfolio, notes Naguib. Security simulation software makes it simpler for partners to not only sell access to software but also bill for training they provide themselves based on the PhishLine software.
Naguib says Barracuda Networks opted to acquire PhishLine over rival platforms based on partner and customer feedback, as well as the high ratings PhishLine received from Gartner.
“The feedback from PhishLine customers that we got was that they were delighted,” says Naguib.
Barracuda Networks has previously disclosed plans to be acquired by Thoma Bravo, a private equity investment firm, for $1.6 billion. Before that decision, Barracuda Networks acquired Intronis to set up a business unit specifically to focus on managed service providers (MSPs) looking to provide data protection and security services. Barracuda Networks has not revealed its product strategy post the closing of the Thoma Bravo deal anticipated later this year. But if the acquisition of PhishLine is any indication, it would appear, that as a private company, the intent is to continue to expand rather than contract the overall product portfolio.
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