Proofpoint Acquires Israeli Cyber Firm Varonis Systems for $6.3 Billion

By רויטרס

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Proofpoint, a cybersecurity firm backed by Thoma Bravo, is acquiring Israeli data security company Varonis Systems for approximately $6.3 billion. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2027, comes as businesses increase spending on cybersecurity due to rising AI-driven online crime. Varonis, founded by Yaki Fitelzon and Ohad Corcos, specializes in protecting unstructured data and operates globally with a development center in Herzliya, Israel. Proofpoint, a leading private cybersecurity company, was itself acquired by Thoma Bravo in 2021 for $12.3 billion.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Proofpoint will acquire Israeli cybersecurity firm Varonis Systems for approximately $6.3 billion.
The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.
Varonis Systems, founded in Israel, specializes in protecting unstructured data within organizations.
The deal reflects increased global spending on cybersecurity amid rising AI-driven online threats.
Varonis employs around 2,700 people and serves enterprises in 95 countries.
Proofpoint was acquired by Thoma Bravo in 2021 for $12.3 billion.

Proofpoint Acquires Israeli Cyber Firm Varonis Systems for $6.3 Billion — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, owned by investment firm Thoma Bravo, has agreed to acquire Israeli data security company Varonis Systems for approximately $6.3 billion in cash. The deal, announced by both companies, will see Varonis shareholders receive $49.75 per share, valuing the company's equity at $5.71 billion. Varonis' stock saw a nearly 2.7% increase in late trading following the announcement. The transaction is anticipated to be finalized in the first half of 2027.

This acquisition occurs amid a global surge in cybersecurity spending, driven by increasing online crime that leverages artificial intelligence for data theft. Varonis, founded in 2005 by Yaki Fitelzon and Ohad Corcos, specializes in protecting unstructured data like documents and spreadsheets within organizations. Its platform maps data access, classifies sensitive information, identifies cloud exposures, and detects anomalous user behavior indicative of attacks or insider threats, operating across platforms such as Amazon, Azure, Google Cloud, and Salesforce.

Headquartered in Miami with its development center in Herzliya, Israel, Varonis transitioned to a subscription-based model in 2019 and has since focused on cloud revenue. The company went public on the Nasdaq in February 2014 and serves medium to large enterprises in 95 countries across various sectors including finance, healthcare, and technology. Varonis also recently acquired companies in database activity monitoring and AI-driven phishing detection, and expanded its collaboration with Microsoft for Copilot protection. The company employs approximately 2,700 people.

Proofpoint, a major private cybersecurity company based in Sunnyvale, California, focuses on email security and protecting people and data within organizations. Founded in 2002, it was a pioneer in cloud-based email security. Thoma Bravo acquired Proofpoint in August 2021 for about $12.3 billion, marking one of the largest private equity deals in the software sector at the time. Proofpoint's annual recurring revenue surpassed $2 billion in mid-2024 and reached $2.45 billion by the end of 2025, with continued double-digit growth reported in early 2026.