• by Ray Schultz , January 3, 2018

Email security firm Barracuda Networks, Inc., about to close on its own purchase by Thomas Bravo LLC, has acquired PhishLine, LLC, a SaaS platform for social engineering simulation and training. Terms of the deal, which closed on December 21 and was announced today, were not disclosed. 

PhishLine provides “email protection solutions, including social engineering and data analysis offerings,” states Barracuda CEO BJ Jenkins. 

With this purchase, Barracuda can combine gateway security, data protection, AI-based targeted threat protection, and user awareness training, the firm claims.

The takeover is Barracuda’s second in a few months. In November 2017, it acquired cloud archiving firm Sonian Inc., in a move that observers say points toward increased consolidation in the security market. 

Later that month, Barracuda announced it is being acquired by private equity investment firm Thomas Bravo in an all-cash deal totaling $1.6 billion. Now traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Barracuda will operate as a private company after closing, which is expected by the end of Barracuda’s fiscal year on February 28.

Barracuda has 1,500 employees worldwide, while PhishLine has 15. All current PhishLine employees received offer letters and are transitioning to the Barracuda team, a spokesperson says. There are no plans at present to consolidate PhishLine’s Milwaukee offices.

Barracuda specializes in cloud-based email security and management, network security and data protection solutions.