Sophos

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Sophos Limited<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a British security software and hardware company. It develops and markets managed security services and cybersecurity software and hardware, such as managed detection and response, incident response and endpoint security software.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sophos was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by Thoma Bravo, an American private equity firm in March 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Sophos was founded by Jan Hruska and Peter Lammer and began producing its first antivirus and encryption products in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Sophos primarily developed and sold a range of security technologies in the UK, including encryption tools available for most users (private or business). In the late 1990s, Sophos concentrated its efforts on developing and selling antivirus technology and embarked on a program of international expansion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2010, the majority interest of Sophos was sold to Apax Partners.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2011, Utimaco Safeware AG (acquired by Sophos in 2008) was accused of supplying data monitoring and tracking software to partners that have sold to governments such as Syria.Template:Needs citation Sophos issued a statement of apology and confirmed that they had suspended their relationship with the partners in question and launched an investigation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In June 2015, Sophos announced plans to raise US$100 million on the London Stock Exchange.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sophos was floated on the FTSE in September 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 14 October 2019, Sophos announced that Thoma Bravo, a US-based private equity firm, made an offer to acquire Sophos for US$7.40 per share, representing an enterprise value of approximately US$3.9 billion. The board of directors of Sophos stated their intention to recommend the offer to the company's shareholders unanimously.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 2 March 2020, Sophos announced the completion of the acquisition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2024, President Joe Levy was appointed acting CEO after Kris Hagerman resigned from the CEO position.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mr. Levy was named the permanent CEO in May 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2024, Sophos released a report about their Pacific Rim counter-offensive operation, detailing actions taken against China-based adversaries<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> along with additional information concerning this effort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was reported by Wired that the company had been targeted for years by hackers affiliated with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Sichuan Silence Information Technology, a company associated with China's Ministry of Public Security.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The attacks were attributed to Chinese advanced persistent threats such as APT41, APT31, and Volt Typhoon.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asked for the public's help in identifying the attackers.<ref name=":0" />

Acquisitions and partnerships

In 2003, Sophos acquired ActiveState, a Canadian software company that developed anti-spam software.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From September 2003 to February 2006, Sophos served as the parent company of ActiveState, a developer of programming tools for dynamic programming languages: in February 2006, ActiveState became an independent company when it was sold to Vancouver-based venture capitalist firm Pender Financial.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, Sophos acquired ENDFORCE, a company based in Ohio, United States, which developed and sold security policy compliance and network access control (NAC) software.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In July 2008, Sophos agreed to acquire Utimaco, a publicly-held company focused on encryption and other data security products, for over $340 million;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the acquisition closed for $314 million in September 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2013, Utimaco was divested via a management buyout involving investors PINOVA Capital and BIP Investment Partners.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In May 2011, Sophos announced the acquisition of Astaro, a privately held provider of network security products, headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA and Karlsruhe, Germany.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the time Astaro was the 4th largest UTM (Unified Threat Management) vendor and while the deal made sense at the time Forbes questioned its viability.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sophos subsequently renamed the Astaro UTM to Sophos UTM.

In February 2014, Sophos announced that it had acquired Cyberoam Technologies, a provider of network security products.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In December 2015, Sophos merged with Surfright, the company behind the malware scanner HitmanPro. They would later integrate HitmanPro Alert, an anti malicious program designed to detect malicious behavior and stop it into Sophos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In November 2016, Sophos acquired Barricade, a start-up with a behavior-based analytics engine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2017, Sophos acquired Invincea, a software company that provides malware threat detection, prevention, and pre-breach forensic intelligence.<ref name="sophos_acquires">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="sophos_acquires2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="invincea_acquired">Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2024, Sophos agreed to acquire SecureWorks, a publicly-held company majority owned by Dell focused on Extended Detection and Response (XDR), for $859 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The acquisition was completed in February 2025,<ref name=crn>Template:Cite web</ref> and was closely followed by a layoff of 6% (or an estimated 400 people) from the combined workforce.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Antivirus software
• Comparison of antivirus software

External links

• Template:Official website
• Sophos