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Proofpoint Expands Data Security With Normalyze Acquisition

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Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
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Endpoint Security

Normalyze’s AI-Powered DSPM Technology Boosts Proofpoint’s Data Visibility, Control

Michael Novinson (MichaelNovinson) •
October 29, 2024    

Proofpoint Expands Data Security With Normalyze Acquisition

Proofpoint will make its first acquisition under CEO Sumit Dhawan, scooping up a data security posture management startup led by a longtime former Qualys executive.

See Also: 2024 Threat Landscape: Data Loss is a People Problem

The Silicon Valley-based email security vendor said its proposed buy of Normalyze will help Proofpoint tackle security challenges tied to human error within complex data ecosystems. The Silicon Valley-based startup is focused on tracking data interactions and minimizing over-permissioned access, which will help Proofpoint reduce vulnerabilities caused by human errors in data handling, according to Proofpoint (see: Proofpoint Snags Former VMware President Sumit Dhawan as CEO).

“Upon the close of our acquisition of Normalyze, Proofpoint customers will have not only consolidated visibility and control of their sensitive information, but also the ability to classify and protect data at scale and across digital environments,” Dhawan wrote on LinkedIn. ”This is a big win for companies as they race to adopt DBaaS and gen AI platforms, and we believe this is a win for Proofpoint.”

Normalyze, founded in 2020, employs 79 people, and has raised $26.6 million of outside funding, with the company closing a $22.2 million Series A funding round in June 2022 led by Battery Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The company has been led since inception by Amer Deeba, who previously spent 17 years at Qualys, culminating in two-and-a-half years as chief commercial officer (see: Evaluating Cloud Security Across the Enterprise).

What Normalyze Brings to the Table

The acquisition of Normalyze will help Proofpoint mitigate risks caused by human interactions with data, which have become more pronounced with the expansion of cloud, SaaS and AI technologies. Modern applications are often managed by small developer teams and lead to a proliferation of interconnected data that traditional security measures struggle to protect, according to Proofpoint.

“Modern applications are rapidly changing, driven by small teams of developers working independently on microservices and various data sources, leading to an explosion of data,” Proofpoint’s Mayank Choudhary said in a statement. “These modern applications are highly interconnected, making it hard for security teams to manage the heterogeneous and ever-growing sprawl of their data.”

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Modern cloud-based and SaaS-driven environments present challenges in maintaining data visibility and control, according to Normalize co-founder and CEO Ravi Ithal. The acquisition will enable Proofpoint to help security teams overcome these challenges, enhancing data protection even in decentralized, shadow data scenarios, and helping organizations manage a diverse data landscape more effectively (see: Why Discovering Shadow AI Is Key to Protecting Data).

“With the rapid proliferation of internally developed cloud applications, and use of SaaS applications procured by teams outside of IT, security teams are faced with the daunting challenge of inconsistent visibility and control of their critical data,” he said. “As data has become increasingly difficult to secure, the driving force behind our mission and technology has been to help organizations secure the data.”

Normalyze’s platform leverages AI to simplify data discovery and classification across complex, multi-cloud environments, providing actionable insights, quantifying risk levels, and helping clients quickly locate and assess their most critical data. The platform facilitates data discovery and classification, risk assessment, and remediation support, which is essential for businesses to stay compliant and secure.

Specifically, Proofpoint said Normalyze’s agentless One-Pass Scanner uses AI to accurately identify and classify valuable and sensitive data at scale across a wide range of data environments. The DataValuator, meanwhile, assigns monetary value to data and identifies the data stores with the highest impact of potential data loss, according to Proofpoint.

How Normalyze Strengthens Proofpoint’s Hand in AI, DBaaS

As the use of AI applications grows in enterprise settings, Proofpoint said it aims to use Normalyze’s DSPM solutions to address data security challenges unique to AI integration. This move will allow organizations to leverage AI more confidently, Proofpoint said, ensuring that data security measures are robust enough to manage sensitive information within AI workflows.

As AI projects continue to expand, organizations are realizing that DSPM is the foundational step to confidently saying ‘yes’ to AI, according to Normalyze. Many businesses find themselves stalling or pulling the plug entirely on AI initiatives if they fail to address data security issues first, underscoring the critical role DSPM plays in unlocking AI’s full potential, the company found

Normalyze’s platform will enable Proofpoint customers to implement proactive governance measures against data breaches and compliance violations. Through this acquisition, Proofpoint said it can now offer a holistic solution that spans data classification, monitoring, and risk management, particularly appealing to organizations leveraging modern CI/CD, database as a service, and generative AI pipelines.

Normalyze is the seventh DSPM startup to end up in the hands of a broader security or technology vendor since May 2023, with IBM, Rubrik, Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike all entering this red-hot market with nine-figure buys. Most recently, Tenable bought DSPM startup Eureka in June for $29.2 million and Netskope bought Dasera to fill gaps around safeguarding structured and unstructured data (see: Netskope Purchases Dasera to Strengthen Cloud Data Security).

This is Proofpoint’s first purchase since Dhawan became CEO in November 2023 and fourth since Thoma Bravo took the company private in August 2021 for $12.3 billion. Proofpoint bought cloud email security firm Tessian in October 2023, deception firm Illusive in December 2022 to add identity risk discovery and remediation and post-breach defense, and AI-based data classification firm Dathena in January 2022 (see: Proofpoint to Buy Tessian to Infuse Email Protection With AI).





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    Implementing Patch Management Systems

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    Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

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    Automating Security Auditing and Compliance

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    Deploying Automated Data Backups and Recovery

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    Educating Employees with Security Awareness Training

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    As cyber threats continue to evolve, small businesses must adopt proactive cybersecurity measures to protect their sensitive data and operations. By embracing automation, small businesses can effectively enhance their cyber defense capabilities. From automated threat detection and patch management to multi-factor authentication and data backups, these automation strategies provide small businesses with robust security solutions despite limited resources. Small businesses can mitigate risks, safeguard their digital assets, and focus on growth and innovation by automating cybersecurity tasks.

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    The Vital Role of Ethical Hackers in Cybersecurity

    The role of an ethical hacker is vital within the cybersecurity industry. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, these experts embark on a noble quest: to uncover vulnerabilities and safeguard the integrity of digital systems. Their mission? To perform risk assessments and test the foundations of security in organizations.

    To achieve their goal, ethical hackers immerse themselves in the expanse of security breaches, exploits, and vulnerability scenarios. They leave no stone unturned. Their goal is to protect organizations from malicious attacks, ensuring that the digital fortress remains untouchable.

    Don't underestimate the importance of ethical hacking. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has never been more pressing. According to a report by Emergen Research, the cybersecurity industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0% to 13.4% from 2022 to 2030. This surge in demand reflects the critical importance of ethical hackers in fortifying digital infrastructure against the relentless onslaught of cyber threats.

    Embracing the Journey: Continuous Learning and Certification for Ethical Hackers

    Becoming an ethical hacker requires diverse skills and knowledge. Understanding the types of hackers is crucial, as it provides insights into how they operate. Armed with this knowledge, ethical hackers delve into cutting-edge tools and techniques. They leverage their skills to identify vulnerabilities and devise countermeasures.

    The responsibilities of an ethical hacker transcend merely identifying weaknesses. They also recommend solutions and implement robust security measures. Their expertise helps organizations fortify their defenses, minimize breaches, and protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.

    The Tools of Ethical Hacking

    Curious about the tools an ethical hacker uses? They have access to a diverse range of tools. These tools allow them to probe and analyze digital systems, uncover weaknesses, and assess the resilience of security measures. While the specific tools vary based on the objectives and preferences of individual ethical hackers, there are several standard tools they employ. 

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    Another essential tool in the ethical hacker's arsenal is Metasploit. Metasploit is an open-source framework that facilitates penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. It offers a wide range of exploits, payloads, and auxiliary modules, empowering ethical hackers to simulate real-world attack scenarios. Employing Metasploit's extensive collection of exploit codes, ethical hackers can uncover weaknesses, gain unauthorized access, and assess the system's defenses against potential threats.

    WireShark, a network protocol analyzer, is another indispensable tool for ethical hackers. It allows them to capture and examine network traffic, providing deep insights into the packets traversing the network. With WireShark, ethical hackers can scrutinize individual packets, analyze network protocols, and identify suspicious or malicious activity. This tool enables them to detect anomalies, trace the origin of potential security breaches, and assess the security posture of the network.

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    References:

    "Cybersecurity Market, By Component (Hardware, Solution, Service), By Security Type, By Solution, By Application (IT & Telecom, Retail, BFSI, Healthcare, Defense & Government, Manufacturing, Energy, Others), By Region Forecast to 2032". Www.Emergenresearch.Com, 2023, https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/cyber-security-market. Accessed 25 May 2023.

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    Businesses in all industries are heavily reliant on technology. Unfortunately, this also makes companies a prime target for a variety of cyber attacks. Despite the best efforts in cybersecurity, no company is entirely immune to these risks. One way to help limit these concerns is to purchase cyber insurance for your business. Often overlooked or deemed unnecessary in the past, cyber insurance is quickly becoming a business necessity, providing a safety net for whenever things go wrong.

    The Ever-Present Threat of Cybercrime

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    A cybersecurity incident isn't just about financial loss. One incident can also lead to reputational damage, loss of customer trust, regulatory fines, and even business closure. Developing a robust cybersecurity system is crucial, but it's not foolproof. Investing in cybersecurity insurance for your business can give you much-needed protection against these threats.

    Cyber Insurance: An Essential Safety Net

    Like any insurance, cyber insurance covers financial losses related to cyber incidents. This can include costs associated with data recovery, notification of affected parties, legal fees, public relations efforts, business interruption, and even extortion payments demanded by hackers. In essence, cyber insurance is designed to help a company recover from a cyber attack by mitigating the financial impact. It provides an essential safety net that can make the difference between a company going out of business and staying afloat after a cyber-attack.

    Coverage Tailored to Your Business

    One of the key advantages of cyber insurance is that it can be tailored to fit the specific needs and risk profile of your business. Different businesses have different cyber risks. For example, a healthcare provider may need coverage for patient data breaches, while a retail business might require protection against credit card fraud. Cyber insurance policies can be customized to provide the coverage your business needs most.

    The Rising Importance of Cyber Insurance

    Cyber insurance is growing in importance as businesses become more digital and data-driven. It's not just about whether your business will experience a cyber-attack, but when it will happen. Data privacy laws are becoming more stringent, which means businesses can face hefty fines for failing to adequately protect customer data. Cyber liability insurance can provide coverage for these regulatory fines.

    Cyber Insurance - An Investment Worth Making

    Investing in cyber insurance is like putting on a seatbelt while driving. It doesn't prevent an accident, but it can significantly mitigate the damage if one occurs. Cyber insurance is an essential part of a comprehensive risk management strategy, providing financial protection and peace of mind in a digital age fraught with cyber threats. Regardless of your business size or industry, having cyber insurance can help you navigate the aftermath of a cyber-attack by protecting your financial resources.

    PSL’s Easy Guide to Understanding Cybersecurity

    The world of cybersecurity can often feel like a maze of technobabble and obscure acronyms. Yet in an era where our lives increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, it's important to have a basic understanding of the terminology involved. Learning about cybersecurity can help you avoid common mistakes and limit the chance of becoming a victim of these crimes.

    Here is an overview of common cybersecurity terms.

    1) Cybersecurity

    Let's start with the basics. Cybersecurity is simply the defense against digital attacks that target computers, mobile devices, networks, and servers. These attacks are typically aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business processes.

    2) Malware

    Malware is any malicious software that can damage or infiltrate computers without the user's consent.

    Here are the most well-known types of malware.

    Virus

    Like a biological virus, a computer virus attaches itself to a host (in this case, a file), and spreads when the file is shared, infecting other files and systems.

    Worm

    A worm is a standalone type of malware that will replicate itself to easily spread to other computers through a network.

    Trojan

    Named after the Greek myth, the Trojan horse, a Trojan is a form of malware that attempts to disguise itself as a normal program or file to trick users into either downloading or installing it.

    Ransomware

    This type of malware encrypts the user's files and demands payment to unlock them.

    Spyware

    Spyware is malware that's specifically designed to spy on user activity without their knowledge.

    3) Phishing

    Phishing is a common attack that tries to gain personal information by using deceptive emails and websites. The attacker, masquerading as a trustworthy entity, uses a variety of strategies to trick the victim into opening an instant message, email, or text message.

    4) Firewall

    A firewall is an IT security tool that controls network traffic using predetermined security rules. Think of it as a digital barrier limiting unauthorized access to your network or computer.

    5) VPN (Virtual Private Network)

    A VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address to make your online actions nearly untraceable. VPN services establish encrypted connections to provide much greater privacy while using the internet.

    6) Encryption

    Encryption converts data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. When data is encrypted, it appears as gibberish unless you have the decryption key to convert it back to its original form.

    7) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

    2FA is a common security process in which users must provide two different authentication factors to gain access to an account. For example, in addition to a password, you might also need to enter a code sent to your phone.

    8) Darknet/Dark Web

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    9) Data Breach

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    10) Botnet

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    Closing Thoughts

    Understanding cybersecurity is not just for the tech-savvy; it's for everyone. We are all potential targets for cyber threats, and comprehension of basic cybersecurity terminology can make a significant difference in safeguarding ourselves and our digital assets.

    Employing cybersecurity measures also helps to keep your digital data safe. This might include using a VPN, enabling two-factor authentication, or simply being wary of suspicious emails to prevent phishing attacks.

    Ultimately, it's not necessary for everyone to be a cybersecurity expert, but a basic understanding of the key terms can be an empowering first step in better securing your digital life. This newfound knowledge can provide you the confidence to navigate the online world with more safety and assurance.