14 DAY TRIAL // Proofpoint has taken a great step towards boosting its malware detection and response reaction against threats by agreeing to spend about $40 / €35.765 million on acquiring Emerging Threats, a company providing threat intelligence to numerous parties across the globe.
The technology thus gained will be integrated into Targeted Attack Protection and Threat Response security solutions in order to provide more useful information that can be used to detect, block and thwart advanced cyber-attacks.
Tools of the trade
Founded in 2003, Emerging Threats makes available commercial and open source threat intelligence, becoming a standard in network-based malware detection. The data collected through its systems is processed and correlated in order to provide a broader context for the threat analysis.
Its IQRisk Suite mixes in multiple components (ETPro Ruleset, IQRisk Rep List and IQRisk Query) that protect against data exfiltration, exploits, malicious software or phishing.
Apart from this, the company maintains an IP and domain reputation list that can be integrated into firewall solutions to help customers discern between connections that pose a risk and those that are safe.
Emerging Threats collects millions of malware samples and threat indicators on a daily basis, using the database to gain insight into advanced malware distribution and the command and control server infrastructure employed by the cybercriminals.
On the open source side of things, the company maintains the IDS/IPS ruleset and ETOpen Ruleset, on which rely over 20,000 organizations from all over the world. More than 200,000 users download the ruleset for Suricata, Snort and other IDS (intrusion detection system) products every day.
Proofpoint stock records a small bump
Proofpoint’s acquisition should not impact on Emerging Threats’ relationship with its existing customers and business is expected to continue as usual. Moving under the new umbrella, however, means that the company’s research should benefit from larger investments, leading to increased development capabilities.
The definitive agreement between the two companies has been signed for $40 million, which represents both cash and stock. Proofpoint stock price reached $57.07 (after-hours), recording a small increase of $0.43 (0.76%).