Hornetsecurity
Hornetsecurity is a Hannover-based cloud security SaaS provider delivering integrated Microsoft 365 security, backup, compliance, and AI-powered threat protection to 125,000+ SMB customers through 12,000+ MSP and channel partners across 120+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersHanover, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Hornetsecurity does
Hornetsecurity is a Hannover, Germany-based cloud security SaaS provider founded in 2010, specializing in integrated Microsoft 365 security, backup, compliance, and security awareness delivered through a channel-first model. Its flagship offering, 365 Total Protection, is a tiered suite spanning Plan 1 (foundational spam/malware filtering, encryption, signatures) through Plan 4 (AI Cyber Assistant, AI Recipient Validation, Teams Protection, AI Email Security Analyst, security awareness, and permission management), supplemented by standalone modules including 365 Total Backup, VM Backup, 365 Permission Manager, 365 Multi Tenant Manager, DMARC Manager, and Email Archiving/Continuity/Encryption. The underlying technology stack combines ML-based URL analysis (47+ characteristics), computer-vision phishing detection, NLP for SOC analyst support and recipient validation, and integrations with Microsoft Graph, Entra ID, SharePoint, Teams, Hyper-V, and VMware.
Hornetsecurity operates primarily through 12,000+ MSPs and channel partners serving 125,000+ end customers across 120+ countries, with the SMB segment as the primary buyer and MSPs as the core distribution unit. Revenue is generated via annual subscription billing across the four plan tiers; the company reports nearly $200 million in annual recurring revenue at the time of its December 2025 acquisition by Proofpoint for $1.8 billion. Post-acquisition, Hornetsecurity operates as a dedicated MSP-focused business unit within Proofpoint, led by founder Daniel Hofmann as Executive Vice President and General Manager, with expanded go-to-market into North America via a flagship Pax8 partnership and new U.S. data centers in Georgia. Historical ownership included PSG, Verdane, and a 2022 strategic growth investment from TA Associates, and the company has executed a sustained bolt-on M&A program including Vade Secure (2024), Altospam (2025), and earlier acquisitions of IT-Seal, Altaro, ZeroSpam, EveryCloud, and Spamina to deepen European density and product breadth.
Hornetsecurity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hornetsecurity
- Legal name
- Hornetsecurity GmbH
- Website
- https://hornetsecurity.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Hornetsecurity is a Hannover-based cloud security SaaS provider delivering integrated Microsoft 365 security, backup, compliance, and AI-powered threat protection to 125,000+ SMB customers through 12,000+ MSP and channel partners across 120+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hornetsecurity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud Email Security (Microsoft 365)
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data Security & Privacy for Cloud (DLP, DSPM, Tokenization) (HDABAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP) (BPAEADAF), Cybersecurity Management for SMB (Managed Security Add‑ons) (BPAEABAG), Data Security & Privacy Managed Services (DLP/Encryption) (BPAEADAL)
Keywords
Where Hornetsecurity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hanover
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hornetsecurity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription/SaaS Security Services: Recurring subscription revenue from cloud security services including 365 Total Protection (plans 1-4), email security, backup, compliance, and security awareness services. Hornetsecurity generates nearly $200 million in annual recurring revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 365 Total Protection Plan 1 - Foundation security for Microsoft 365 |
| Subscription | Annual | 365 Total Protection Plan 2 - Email security with advanced threat protection |
| Subscription | Annual | 365 Total Protection Plan 3 - Adds unlimited backup and data loss protection |
| Subscription | Annual | 365 Total Protection Plan 4 - Complete package with AI Cyber Assistant |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Hornetsecurity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hornetsecurity provides a cloud-based Microsoft 365 security, compliance, and backup platform delivered primarily through its 365 Total Protection suite (Plans 1–4) and individual modules for spam/malware protection, advanced threat protection, email encryption/archiving/continuity, DMARC management, Teams protection, AI Recipient Validation, security awareness, permission management, multi-tenant MSP management, and VM/server backup. The platform is sold predominantly to SMBs and mid-market organizations via a global channel of more than 12,000 MSPs and partners across 120+ countries.
Product overview
Hornetsecurity offers a next-generation cloud security and compliance platform for Microsoft 365, centered on its flagship 365 Total Protection suite. The platform follows a tiered architecture with four plans (Plan 1-4) providing escalating capabilities: Plan 1 covers foundational email security (spam/malware filtering, encryption, signatures); Plan 2 adds advanced threat protection, archiving, and continuity; Plan 3 includes unlimited Microsoft 365 backup; Plan 4 delivers the complete package powered by AI Cyber Assistant. Individual modules include Security Awareness Service, DMARC Manager, AI Cyber Assistant, Advanced Threat Protection, Email Encryption/Archiving/Continuity, Teams Protection, AI Recipient Validation, 365 Permission Manager, 365 Multi Tenant Manager, 365 Total Backup, VM Backup, Physical Server Backup, and Hornet.email. The M365 Security League is the AI-powered sub-brand encompassing interconnected AI security features. Following Proofpoint's $1.8B acquisition in December 2025, Hornetsecurity operates as a dedicated MSP-focused business unit serving over 12,000 channel partners and 125,000 customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 365 Total Protection: Comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 including email security, backup, compliance, and governance features with multiple plan tiers.
- AI Cyber Assistant (AI.MY)
- 365 Multi Tenant Manager
- 365 Permission Manager
- Security Awareness Service
Products and services
- 365 Total Protection Comprehensive Microsoft 365 security suite offering email security, backup, security awareness, access control, and compliance capabilities, offered in four tiered plans (Plans 1–4) for SMBs and MSPs.
- AI Cyber Assistant AI-powered security assistant that supports end users and administrators in daily operations, providing threat analysis, risk assessments, automated remediation recommendations, and SOC analyst support via natural language interaction.
- Teams Protection Microsoft Teams security module that scans all messages containing URLs using AI, issues warning messages via AI Cyber Assistant bot, and enables admins to remediate threats including automatic deletion of malicious chats.
- AI Recipient Validation AI-powered email recipient validation service that analyzes communication patterns to detect unusual recipient errors, similar names, and misdirected emails before sending, preventing data breaches from misdirected communications.
- Security Awareness Service Automated continuous security awareness training solution that transforms employees into an additional line of defense through ongoing training, awareness benchmarking, spear-phishing simulation, and e-learning.
- Spam and Malware Protection Email security filtering solution providing protection against spam, phishing, and malware threats in incoming email communications.
- Advanced Threat Protection AI-powered email security solution that detects and blocks sophisticated threats including zero-day attacks, ransomware, and targeted phishing campaigns through advanced analysis and real-time threat intelligence.
- Email Encryption Automated email encryption solution ensuring secure communication of sensitive information and regulatory compliance for protected data in transit.
- Email Archiving Audit-proof compliant email archiving solution providing secure storage, fast retrieval, and regulatory compliance for email communications.
- Email Continuity Service Business continuity solution ensuring uninterrupted email access during outages, allowing users to send and receive emails even when primary email services are unavailable.
- Email Signature and Disclaimer Centralized email signature and disclaimer management solution ensuring consistent branding and legal compliance across all outgoing email communications.
- DMARC Manager Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) analysis and management solution protecting against email spoofing and domain fraud.
- 365 Permission Manager Microsoft 365 permissions management and governance solution providing visibility into SharePoint permissions, addressing nested groups, anonymous sharing links, hidden libraries, and false permission levels to eliminate data exposure risks.
- 365 Multi Tenant Manager Multi-tenant management platform for MSPs to efficiently manage Microsoft 365 security and compliance settings across multiple customer tenants from a single dashboard.
- 365 Total Backup Automated Microsoft 365 data backup solution providing automatic backup, granular recovery with end-user self-service, and unlimited storage to protect against ransomware and data loss.
- VM Backup Backup and replication solution for Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware virtual machines and physical Windows servers, providing enterprise-level data loss prevention.
- Physical Server Backup Free server backup software for physical Windows servers, providing reliable data protection and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Hornet.email Secure email service providing additional protection and email management capabilities within the Microsoft 365 environment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Blocks 99%+ of malicious emails
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hornetsecurity
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hornetsecurity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability9 records
Feature6 records
Hornetsecurity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Pax8flagshipProofpoint launched dedicated MSP business unit and introduced 365 Total Protection for North America through strategic partnership with Pax8, targeting the world's largest MSP market. Pax8 serves as key distribution partner for MSP platform in North America.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hornetsecurity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Proofpoint: Proofpoint is now Hornetsecurity's parent and the broader human-centric cybersecurity incumbent; its enterprise email security, DLP, and compliance offerings overlap significantly with Hornetsecurity's M365 stack but historically at the enterprise tier.
- Sophos: Sophos (owned by Thoma Bravo) provides email security, M365 protection, and MDR through a broad MSP program, overlapping with Hornetsecurity while serving as part of a wider cybersecurity portfolio.
- Trend Micro: Trend Micro offers email security, Cloud App Security, and M365-native controls as part of a broader cybersecurity portfolio, providing overlapping capabilities to enterprise and SMB customers.
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Microsoft's native email security bundle within M365 E3/E5 SKUs is the principal incumbent alternative Hornetsecurity competes against and the key benchmark for third-party M365 security value.
Direct peers
- Mimecast: Mimecast is a direct competitor in cloud email security, archiving, and continuity for Microsoft 365, serving many of the same SMB and mid-market customers and MSPs that Hornetsecurity targets.
- Avanan: Avanan provides AI-driven email and collaboration security natively inside Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, directly overlapping with Hornetsecurity's email, Teams, and anti-phishing capabilities.
- Barracuda Networks: Barracuda offers closely overlapping email security, archiving, and M365 backup products sold through MSPs and resellers, making it one of the closest functional peers to Hornetsecurity's 365 Total Protection suite.
- OpenText (Zix/AppRiver): OpenText's Zix/AppRiver business delivers hosted email security, compliance, and backup for SMBs and MSPs, overlapping heavily with Hornetsecurity's M365-centric offering.
Emerging players
- Coro: Coro is an emerging unified cybersecurity platform targeted at SMBs and sold via MSPs, with overlapping email security, endpoint, and backup coverage that competes for the same channel partners.
- Acronis: Acronis combines M365 backup with cyber protection and is sold extensively through MSPs, intersecting with Hornetsecurity's backup and security awareness modules.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hornetsecurity social profiles
Digital presenceHornetsecurity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hornetsecurity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Hornetsecurity subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Hornetsecurity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hornetsecurity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A7 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hornetsecurity
What does Hornetsecurity do?
Hornetsecurity provides a cloud-based Microsoft 365 security, compliance, and backup platform delivered primarily through its 365 Total Protection suite (Plans 1–4) and individual modules for spam/malware protection, advanced threat protection, email encryption/archiving/continuity, DMARC management, Teams protection, AI Recipient Validation, security awareness, permission management, multi-tenant MSP management, and VM/server backup. The platform is sold predominantly to SMBs and mid-market organizations via a global channel of more than 12,000 MSPs and partners across 120+ countries.
Is Hornetsecurity a public or private company?
Hornetsecurity is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Hornetsecurity founded?
Hornetsecurity was founded in 2010. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Hornetsecurity based?
Hornetsecurity is headquartered in Hanover, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hornetsecurity make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription/SaaS Security Services.
Who are Hornetsecurity's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Proofpoint, Sophos, Trend Micro and Microsoft Defender for Office 365. Direct peers are Mimecast, Avanan, Barracuda Networks and OpenText (Zix/AppRiver). Emerging players are Coro and Acronis.
Does Hornetsecurity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hornetsecurity.
What industry is Hornetsecurity in?
Hornetsecurity's product category is Cloud Email Security (Microsoft 365). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAHAK, Data Security & Privacy for Cloud (DLP, DSPM, Tokenization), with a secondary code of BPAEADAF, Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7370.