WatchGuard

Last updated
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Company typePrivate
Industry Network security and Computer security
Founded1996;28 years ago (1996)
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington
,
United States
Key people
Finlay Luck (CEO), Tom the don Roberts (CRO), Josh the Jibberish Jolt Mantle (CMO), Jason Frankfurter sausage Fitzgerald (COO)
Products Unified Threat Management (UTM) devices, Next-generation firewalls, secure Wi-Fi devices, cloud-based threat intelligence, device detection
Revenue$252.1 Million USD (2022)
Number of employees
1,200+
Website watchguard.com

WatchGuard, formally known as WatchGuard Technologies, Inc, is an American technology company based in Seattle, Washington. It specializes in network security solutions aimed at safeguarding computer networks from external threats such as malware and ransomware. [1]

Contents

The company was founded in 1996.

History

WatchGuard was initially established in 1996 under the name Seattle Software Labs, Inc. [2] Its inaugural product was a network firewall known as the WatchGuard Security Management System, [3] which included the WatchGuard Firebox, a "firewall in a box" security appliance, along with configuration and administration software. [4]

In 1997, the company rebranded itself as WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. [2]

Come July 1999, WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. went public, trading on Nasdaq. [5]

In October 2006, the company was acquired for $151 million by private equity firms Francisco Partners and Vector Capital. Bruce Coleman assumed the role of interim CEO. [6]

In August 2007, Joe Wang took over as the company's permanent CEO, succeeding Coleman. [7] [6]

In May 2014, CEO Wang stepped down, and interim CEO Michael Kohlsdorf, an operating partner with Francisco Partners, assumed leadership. [8]

In April 2015, Kohlsdorf passed the CEO mantle to Prakash Panjwani. [9] It was announced that both Panjwani and Kohlsdorf were joining WatchGuard's board. [10]

In June 2016, the company acquired HawkEye G, a threat-detection and response technology from Hexis Cyber Solutions, now part of KEYW Holding Corp. [9] In October, the company launched the WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud to expand its network security coverage to Wi-Fi networks. [11]

In August 2017, WatchGuard acquired Datablink, a provider of multi-factor authentication software used to secure laptops, servers, and other devices. [12]

In January 2018, the company acquired Percipient Networks, a domain name system security service provider. Later it was renamed as DNSWatch. [13]

In July 2018, the company unveiled AuthPoint, an application designed to offer multi-factor authentication security for businesses. [14]

In March 2020, WatchGuard announced an agreement to acquire Bilbao-based Panda Security, a provider of network endpoint security. [15] The deal was finalized in June. [16]

Products

The company develops security products and services for businesses. [17] There are four product groups: Network Security, Endpoint Security, Secure Wi-Fi, and Multi-Factor Authentication.

The Network Security devices are categorized as Unified Threat Management (UTM), where a single device provides multiple security features. The devices include WatchGuard Dimension, a network discovery tool that allows administrators to identify devices on the network, including mobile devices; and WatchGuard Cloud, giving the devices access to online threat intelligence. [18] [19]

The Endpoint Security offering includes products and services that provide advanced endpoint security, endpoint antivirus, security operations, and DNS-level protection and content filtering. [16]

The Secure Wi-Fi product line consists of secure indoor and outdoor Wave 1 and Wave 2 802.11ac Wi-Fi hardware, security subscription services, and WatchGuard's Wi-Fi Cloud, a management platform used to control the devices. [17] [11]

The Multi-Factor Authentication group includes the company's AuthPoint application, a multi-factor authentication management and reporting tool that prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive cloud applications, VPNs, and networks. [14]

The company also issues a quarterly security report based on feed data from WatchGuard UTM appliances installed at customer sites. The report highlights the type and frequency of malicious attacks occurring on computer networks. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McAfee</span> American global computer security software company

McAfee Corp., formerly known as McAfee Associates, Inc. from 1987 to 1997 and 2004 to 2014, Network Associates Inc. from 1997 to 2004, and Intel Security Group from 2014 to 2017, is an American global computer security software company headquartered in San Jose, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trend Micro</span> Japanese multinational cyber security company

Trend Micro Inc. is an American-Japanese cyber security software company. The company has globally dispersed R&D in 16 locations across every continent excluding Antarctica. The company develops enterprise security software for servers, containers, & cloud computing environments, networks, and end points. Its cloud and virtualization security products provide automated security for customers of VMware, Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ESET</span> Slovak internet security company

ESET, s.r.o., is a software company specializing in cybersecurity. ESET's security products are made in Europe and provide security software in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Its software is localized into more than 30 languages.

Internet security is a branch of computer security. It encompasses the Internet, browser security, web site security, and network security as it applies to other applications or operating systems as a whole. Its objective is to establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the Internet. The Internet is an inherently insecure channel for information exchange, with high risk of intrusion or fraud, such as phishing, online viruses, trojans, ransomware and worms.

Panda Security is a Spanish cybersecurity software company. Panda Security's core offering is an antivirus software and more recently has expanded into providing and developing cybersecurity software. This includes security products and services for both businesses and home users, as well as protection tools for systems, networks, emails, and other private information. Panda Security employs around 458 people.

Netgear, Inc., is an American computer networking company based in San Jose, California, with offices in about 22 other countries. It produces networking hardware for consumers, businesses, and service providers. The company operates in three business segments: retail, commercial, and as a service provider.

Fortinet, Inc. is a cybersecurity company with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The company develops and sells security solutions like firewalls, endpoint security and intrusion detection systems. Fortinet has offices located all over the world.

Network Admission Control (NAC) refers to Cisco's version of Network Access Control, which restricts access to the network based on identity or security posture. When a network device is configured for NAC, it can force user or machine authentication prior to granting access to the network. In addition, guest access can be granted to a quarantine area for remediation of any problems that may have caused authentication failure. This is enforced through an inline custom network device, changes to an existing switch or router, or a restricted DHCP class. A typical (non-free) WiFi connection is a form of NAC. The user must present some sort of credentials before being granted access to the network.

Webroot Inc. is an American privately-held cybersecurity software company that provides Internet security for consumers and businesses. The company was founded in Boulder, Colorado, US, and is now headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, and has US operations in San Mateo and San Diego, and globally in Australia, Austria, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Symantec Endpoint Protection</span> Computer security software

Symantec Endpoint Protection, developed by Broadcom Inc., is a security software suite that consists of anti-malware, intrusion prevention and firewall features for server and desktop computers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malwarebytes</span> Internet security company

Malwarebytes Inc. is an American Internet security company that specializes in protecting home computers, smartphones, and companies from malware and other threats. It has offices in Santa Clara, California; Clearwater, Florida; Tallinn, Estonia; Bastia Umbra, Italy; and Cork, Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Coat Systems</span> American cybersecurity and network management company

Blue Coat Systems, Inc., was a company that provided hardware, software, and services designed for cybersecurity and network management. In 2016, it was acquired by and folded into Symantec. In 2019 was, as part of Symantec Enterprise division, sold to Broadcom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruckus Networks</span> Networking equipment brand

RUCKUS Networks is a brand of wired and wireless networking equipment and software owned by CommScope. Ruckus offers Switches, Wi-Fi access points, CBRS access points, Controllers, Management systems, Cloud management, AAA/BYOD software, AI and ML analytics software, location software and IoT controller software products to mobile carriers, broadband service providers, and corporate enterprises. As a company, Ruckus invented and has patented wireless voice, video, and data technology, such as adaptive antenna arrays that extend signal range, increase data rates, and avoid interference, providing distribution of delay-sensitive content over standard 802.11 Wi-Fi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palo Alto Networks</span> American technology company

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is an American multinational cybersecurity company with headquarters in Santa Clara, California. The core product is a platform that includes advanced firewalls and cloud-based offerings that extend those firewalls to cover other aspects of security. The company serves over 70,000 organizations in over 150 countries, including 85 of the Fortune 100. It is home to the Unit 42 threat research team and hosts the Ignite cybersecurity conference. It is a partner organization of the World Economic Forum.

Aerohive Networks, Inc. was an American multinational computer networking equipment company headquartered in Milpitas, California, with 17 additional offices worldwide. The company was founded in 2006 and provided wireless networking to medium-sized and larger businesses.

AirWatch was an Atlanta-based provider of enterprise mobility management (EMM) software and standalone management systems for content, applications and email. AirWatch was acquired by VMware, Inc. in February 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dell Software</span> Former software division of Dell, Inc.

Dell Software was a former division of Dell with headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, United States. Dell Software was created by merging various acquisitions by Dell Inc., the third-largest maker of PCs and now a privately held company, to build out its software offerings for data center and cloud management, information management, mobile workforce management, security and data protection for organizations of all sizes.

Invincea, Inc. was a company that offered a suite of endpoint protection software products. Originally called Secure Command LLC, Invincea, Inc. was a venture-backed software company that provided malware threat detection, prevention, and analysis to stop advanced threats. It was acquired by Sophos in February 2017.

Lastline, Inc. is an American cyber security company and breach detection platform provider based in Redwood City, California. The company offers network-based security breach detection and other security services that combat malware used by advanced persistent threat (APT) groups for businesses, government organizations and other security service providers. Lastline has offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital Guardian</span>

Digital Guardian is an American data loss prevention software company that sells products to detect and prevent malicious actions by user and malware on endpoints. Its software is designed for both individual user and corporate networks, servers, databases, and the cloud.

References

  1. ↑ "Cyberattack scramble: sifting through code, a midnight patch and a lost weekend". seattletimes.com. May 16, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Company Overview of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc". bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  3. ↑ "About to buy a firewall? Read this first". gcn.com. August 4, 1997. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Firewalls get watchdog". cnet.com. February 3, 1997. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. ↑ "WATCHGUARD TECHNOLOGIES INC (WGRD) IPO". nasdaq.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Watchguard Names CEO". crn.com. April 24, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Company Overview of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc". seattlebusinessmag.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Watchguard CEO Joe Wang resigns; Michael Kohlsdorf named interim replacement". geekwire.com. May 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "WatchGuard Technologies buys threat-detection software for $3M plus stock". geekwire.com. June 15, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  10. ↑ "WatchGuard names Panjwani as CEO". seattletimes.com. May 18, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "WatchGuard Technologies Looks To Take On Cisco Meraki With New Wi-Fi Cloud Solution". crn.com. October 18, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  12. ↑ "WatchGuard buys Datablink for authentication". enterprisetimes.co.uk. August 9, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  13. ↑ "WatchGuard Buys Percipient Networks To Fortify Its Malware Protection Capabilities For SMBs". crn.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  14. 1 2 "WatchGuard Introduces Multifactor Authentication Product". channelpronetwork.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Seattle-based WatchGuard to acquire endpoint protection provider Panda Security". GeekWire. March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  16. 1 2 "WatchGuard Completes Panda Acquisition". Infosecurity Magazine. June 2, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "WatchGuard Technologies CEO: We're On The Hunt For Acquisitions". crn.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. ↑ "2017 Mobility 100: 30 Coolest Mobile Security And Device Management Vendors". crn.com. May 8, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Product Information: WatchGuard T30-W and WatchGuard Dimension". scmagazine.com. May 2, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  20. ↑ "WatchGuard Report Shows Rapid Growth of Attack Techniques, Malware". channelpartnersonline.com. December 12, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.