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Barracuda Networks
Company typePrivate
Industry
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)
Founders
Headquarters
Campbell, California
,
U.S.
Key people
  • Hatem Naguib (CEO)
  • Erin Hintz (CMO)
  • Fleming Shi (CTO)
Products
RevenueUS$352.65 million (2017)
OwnerKKR
Number of employees
1001-5000
Websitebarracuda.com

Barracuda Networks, Inc. is a company providing security, networking and storage products based on network appliances and cloud services. The company's security products include products for protection against email, web surfing, web hackers and instant messaging threats such as spam, spyware, trojans, and viruses. The company's networking and storage products include web filtering, load balancing, application delivery controllers, message archiving, NG firewalls, backup services and data protection.[1]

History

Barracuda Networks was founded in 2003 by Dean Drako (founding CEO), Michael Perone, and Zach Levow; the company introduced the Barracuda Spam and Virus Firewall in the same year.[2][3][4] In 2007 the company moved its headquarters to Campbell, California,[5] and opened an office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[6]

In January 2006, it closed its first outside investment of $40 million from Sequoia Capital and Francisco Partners.[7]

On January 29, 2008, Barracuda Networks was sued by Trend Micro over their use of the open source anti-virus software Clam AntiVirus, which Trend Micro claimed to be in violation of their patent on 'anti-virus detection on an SMTP or FTP gateway'.[8] In addition to providing samples of prior art in an effort to render Trend Micro's patent invalid, in July 2008 Barracuda launched a countersuit against Trend Micro claiming Trend Micro violated several antivirus patents Barracuda Networks had acquired from IBM.[9]

In December 2008, the company launched the BRBL (Barracuda Reputation Block List), its proprietary and dynamic list of known spam servers, for free and public use in blocking spam at the gateway.[10] Soon after opening BRBL many IP addresses got blacklisted without apparent reason and without any technical explanation.[11][12][13][14]

As of October 2009, Barracuda had over 85,000 customers.[15] As of November 2011, Barracuda had more than 130,000 customers.[16] As of January 2014, Barracuda has more than 150,000 customers worldwide.[17]

In 2012, the company became a co-sponsor of the Garmin-Barracuda UCI ProTour cycling team[18] and entitlement sponsor of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 champion Bryan Herta Autosport in the IndyCar Series, with the #98 Lotus driven by Alex Tagliani, who will defend the team's championship.[19]

Barracuda Networks expanded its research and development facility in Ann Arbor to a 12,500 square foot office building on Depot Street in 2008.[20] By 2012, the Michigan-based research division had grown to about 180 employees, again outgrowing its space. In June 2012, Barracuda signed a lease to occupy the 45,000 square foot office complex previously used as the Borders headquarters on Maynard St in downtown Ann Arbor.[21]

In July 2012, Dean Drako, Barracuda Networks's co-founder, president and CEO since it was founded in 2003, resigned his operating position, remaining on the company's board of directors.[22] At the time of Drako's departure, the company stated it had achieved profitability,[23] a nearly ongoing 30 annual percent growth rate since inception, 150,000 customers worldwide, nearly 1,000 employees, 10 offices, and did business in 80 countries.[24] The company created the office of the CEO as it started a CEO search.[25]

In November 2012, long-time EMC executive William "BJ" Jenkins joined the company as president and CEO.[26] Jenkins worked at EMC since 1998 and most recently served as president of EMC's Backup and Recovery Systems (BRS) Division.[27]

In November 2013, Barracuda Networks went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CUDA.[28]

In March 2015, Barracuda Networks expanded its business to North Asia and was distributed by TriTech Distribution Limited in Hong Kong.[29]

In November 2015, Barracuda added new Next Generation Firewall to its firewall family.[30]

Barracuda has announced the future discontinuation of its Copy and CudaDrive services as of May 2016.[31]

In November 2017, private equity firm Thoma Bravo announced they were taking Barracuda Networks private in a $1.6 billion buyout.[32] In February 2018 Thoma Bravo announced that it has completed the acquisition.[33]

In April 2022, KKR announced the signing of an agreement to purchase Barracuda Networks from Thoma Bravo for about $4 billion, which was completed in August of that year.[34][35]

Products

In chronological order:

  • Email Security Gateway - In October 2003, Barracuda announced its spam and virus firewall plug-in appliance.[36] In June 2008, Barracuda launched a spam and virus firewall for large enterprises and ISPs.[37]
  • Web Security Gateway - In April 2005, the company introduced its web filtering appliance to prevent spyware and viruses from gathering and transmitting user data, and to control web surfing.[38]
  • Load balancer ADC - In November 2006, the company introduced a load balancing appliance for high availability distribution of network traffic across multiple servers.[39]
  • Message Archiver - In July 2007, the company introduced message archiving to index and preserve emails, and to meet legal and regulatory compliance.[40]
  • SSL VPN & Remote Access - In November 2008, the company launched its secure sockets layer virtual private network product to provide secure, clientless, remote access.[41]
  • Web Application Firewall - Announced in February 2008, for securing Web applications for large enterprises and to address regulation compliance such as PCI DSS.[42]
  • Link Balancer - Announced in September 2008, to optimize and aggregate internet connections from different providers, is currently End Of Life.[43]

[44]

  • Barracuda Backup - In November 2008, the company announced a service to back up data in the cloud, including on-site backup with data deduplication and off-site data replication for disaster recovery.[45] In January 2009, Barracuda added message-level backup for Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise, integrating Barracuda Backup Service with Yosemite Backup, formerly Tapeware.[46]
  • Web Security Service - In October 2009, in conjunction with its acquisition of Purewire, Barracuda Networks launched the Purewire Web Security Service which is a software as a service offering for Web filtering, content security, and safe web surfing.[47]
  • NextGen Firewall - In February 2010, Barracuda announced its NextGen Firewalls to protect enterprise network infrastructures. The firewalls integrate web and email filtering, intrusion prevention, layer 7 application profiling, and network access control into one platform that is centrally managed across multiple distributed enterprise network locations. NextGen Firewalls are available as a hardware appliance, virtual appliance and public cloud instance. The product includes wide area network traffic optimization.[48]
  • CudaTel Communication Server (PBX) - in August 2010, Barracuda announced the release of CudaTel, a VOIP Private branch exchange designed for IT administrators. CudaTel features FreeSWITCH, an open-source project sponsored by Barracuda Networks.[49]
  • Copy.com was announced as a cloud storage service in February 2013.[50][51] The service was discontinued on May 1, 2016.[31]
  • Barracuda Sentinel - In June 2017, Barracuda launched an artificial intelligence service to prevent spear phishing and cyber fraud.[52]
  • Barracuda Mobile Device Manager end-of-life was announced in December 2017. The free service was launched in 2014.[2]

Acquisitions

In September 2007, Barracuda Networks acquired NetContinuum, a company providing application controllers to secure and manage enterprise web applications.[53]

In November 2008, Barracuda Networks expanded into cloud-based backup services by acquiring BitLeap.[54]

In November 2008, Barracuda Networks acquired 3SP, allowing the company to introduce Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Virtual Private Network (VPN) products to allow secure remote access to network file shares, internal Web sites and remote control capabilities for desktops and servers.[55]

In January 2009, Barracuda Networks acquired Yosemite Technologies to add software agents for incremental backups of applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server and SQL Server, and Windows system states.[46][56]

In September 2009, Barracuda Networks acquired controlling interest in phion AG, an Austria-based public company delivering enterprise-class firewalls.[57]

In October 2009, Barracuda Networks acquired Purewire Inc, a software as a service (SaaS) company offering cloud based web filtering and security.[58][59]

In April 2013, Barracuda Networks acquired SignNow.[60]

In 2014, Barracuda Networks purchased C2C Systems UK.[61]

In October 2015, Barracuda Networks acquired Intronis.[62]

In November 2017, Barracuda purchased Sonian[63]

In November 2017, Barracuda announced that it was being acquired by private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, LLC.[64]

In January 2018, Barracuda acquired PhishLine.[65]

Controversies

Security Issue

In January 2013, a backdoor was discovered: "A variety of firewall, VPN, and spam filtering gear sold by Barracuda Networks contains undocumented backdoor accounts that allow people to remotely log in and access sensitive information, researchers with an Austrian security firm have warned." The backdoor was then secured shortly after the announcement.[66]

IP reputation and Emailreg.org

On April 13, 2009, Emailreg.org published a notice clarifying that it is a whitelist of domains that had no impact on Barracuda Blog Lists.[67] April 10, 2010, a blog entry appeared alleging that Barracuda Networks SPAM blocking deliberately targets non-spamming IP addresses and tries to get them to sign up for an email whitelisting service "emailreg.org". In 2019 Emailreg.org announced that it was no longer accepting new customers but would continue services for existing customers until further notice.[68] Emailreg.org discontinued services shortly thereafter and is no longer in operation.[69] As of May 2, 2020, the same warning appears for some IP addresses.[70][71]

See also

References

  1. ^ Company Product Page Archived 2012-08-16 at the Wayback Machine Barracuda Networks. Retrieved<tcxspan tcxhref="20100210" title="Call 2010-02-10. via 3CX"> 2010-02-10.</tcxspan>
  2. ^ Channel Web CEO and founder Dean Drako departs Barracuda
  3. ^ Ernst & Young Northern California's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award Winners Announced
  4. ^ VentureBeat Barracuda swallows Purewire as it becomes a bigger fish in web-based security services
  5. ^ Weselby, Cathy (March 23, 2007). "Barracuda Networks sinks its teeth into site on Winchester Boulevard". The Campbell Reporter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007.
  6. ^ Crain's Detroit Business Silicon Valley firm picks Ann Arbor for office
  7. ^ NetworkWorld Barracuda attracts $40 million in venture investment Archived June 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Ars Technica Barracuda defends open-source antivirus from patent attack
  9. ^ Ars Technica Barracuda bites back at Trend Micro in ClamAV patent lawsuit
  10. ^ Linux.com Barracuda offers a new alternative to Spamhaus
  11. ^ "Problems with Barracuda blacklist". Andrew.triumf.ca. 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  12. ^ "Everything Linux and Open Source". Linux.com. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  13. ^ "BarracudaCentral – another blacklist black hole". Steve.heyvan.com. 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  14. ^ "BarracudaCentral - Spiceworks". Community.spiceworks.com. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  15. ^ San Jose Business Journal Barracuda Networks buys Purewire
  16. ^ eChannel News Barracuda Expands to Over 130,000 Customers Worldwide Archived 2012-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "News Room - Barracuda Networks". www.barracuda.com.
  18. ^ "Garmin-Cervélo becomes Garmin-Barracuda". January 11, 2012.
  19. ^ "Bryan Herta Autosport Names Barracuda Networks as Primary Sponsor". January 13, 2012. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  20. ^ Martin, Mike (October 1, 2008). "Barracuda Networks moves into 201 Depot Street in Ann Arbor". Concentrate Media. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  21. ^ Alfs, Lizzy. "Barracuda Networks signs deal to move hundreds of jobs to ex-Borders offices in downtown Ann Arbor". AnnArbor.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  22. ^ AnnArbor Barracuda Networks CEO resigns to pursue other avenues
  23. ^ ChannelNomics Barracuda Networks CEO resigns Archived 2012-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ CRN Barracuda Networks CEO resigns
  25. ^ Channel Register Exit the Dragon: Barracuda Network CEO stands down
  26. ^ "Longtime EMC Exec Leaves to Head Barracuda Networks". 17 October 2012.
  27. ^ Mellor, Chris. "EMC sidelines Data Domain boss". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  28. ^ SJ Mercury News Biz Break: Barracuda Networks IPO primes pump for Twitter
  29. ^ "Barracuda Distributor In HK | Barracuda HK". www.ttdist.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  30. ^ "Barracuda Adds Powerful New Solutions to Next-Generation Firewall Product Family". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  31. ^ a b "Unknown". campus.barracuda.com.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ Sawers, Paul (2017-11-22). "Cybersecurity company Barracuda to go private as part of $1.6 billion acquisition". venturebeat.com. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  33. ^ "Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of Barracuda". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. 2018-02-12.
  34. ^ Oguh, Chibuike; Hu, Krystal (April 12, 2022). "KKR to buy cybersecurity firm Barracuda from Thoma Bravo in deal worth about $4 bln". Reuters.
  35. ^ Dorbian, Iris (August 16, 2022). "KKR completes acquisition of cybersecurity firm Barracuda". PE Hub.
  36. ^ ComputerWorld Barracuda Networks launches antispam appliance line
  37. ^ eChannelline Barracuda launches Spam Firewall for large enterprises Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ InformationWeek Barracuda Rolls Out Spyware-Blocking Appliance Archived 2012-09-12 at archive.today
  39. ^ IT & Security Portal Barracuda Networks Launches Barracuda Load Balancer
  40. ^ ISP Planet Barracuda's Message Archiver Archived December 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ Comms Express New SSL VPN Announced Archived 2009-01-09 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ eChannelline Barracuda puts bite on SMB Web application controller Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ ISP Planet Barracuda Networks' Link Balancer Archived March 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  44. ^ Link Balancer
  45. ^ Information Week Barracuda Swims Into The Cloud
  46. ^ a b PCWorld Backup Merger Unites Barracuda, Yosemite Archived 2010-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ Channel Insider Barracuda Acquires Cloud Security Vendor Purewire
  48. ^ InfoSecurity Barracuda moves into distributed firewall technology
  49. ^ Barracuda Networks Launches CudaTel – New VoIP PBX Based on the Open Source FreeSWITCH Project [1] Archived 2010-12-20 at the Wayback Machine
  50. ^ "Copy, Cloud Storage and Sharing Platform by Barracuda Networks". News release. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  51. ^ "Barracuda Networks Launches Ultimate File Sharing, Sync and Storage Service Based on Secure Global Barracuda Cloud". PRWeb. February 20, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  52. ^ "Barracuda Uses AI to Defend Against Spear Phishing and Cyber Fraud". TechSpective. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  53. ^ SCMagazine Barracuda Networks buys NetContinuum Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
  54. ^ InformationWeek Barracuda Swims Into The Cloud
  55. ^ Eweek Barracuda Networks Breaks into SSL VPN Space
  56. ^ "Barracuda Networks Acquires Yosemite Technologies; Integrates Popular Yosemite Backup Software with Barracuda Backup Service | Reuters". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  57. ^ Silicon Valley Business Journal Barracuda Networks takes controlling interest in phion
  58. ^ Atlanta Business Chronicle Barracuda buys Purewire Inc.
  59. ^ "Barracuda Web Security Flex Provides Web Security with No Limits | Reuters". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  60. ^ Homer, Daniel (10 January 2015). "Webinars". Telecoms.com.
  61. ^ Nusca, Andrew (2013-05-22). "Barracuda acquires SignNow; cloud data storage | ZDNet". ZDNet. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  62. ^ Newsham, Jack (2015-09-29). "Chelmsford storage firm Intronis acquired by Barracuda Networks for $65M". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  63. ^ Novinson, Michael (2017-11-08). "Big Data Buy: Barracuda Purchases Cloud Information Archiving And Analytics Specialist Sonian". CRN. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
  64. ^ "Thoma Bravo to Take Barracuda Private in $1.6 Billion Buy". www.channelpartnersonline.com. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
  65. ^ "Barracuda Hooks PhishLine in Social Engineering Security Acquisition". Dark Reading. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  66. ^ Dan Goodin (January 24, 2013). "Secret backdoors found in firewall, VPN gear from Barracuda Networks". Ars Technica. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  67. ^ "EmailReg.org". April 13, 2009. Archived from the original on 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  68. ^ "EmailReg.org". 2018-09-01. Archived from the original on 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  69. ^ "Emailreg.org -This site can't be reached". Emailreg.org. Archived from the original on 2018-02-24.
  70. ^ aaron (April 10, 2010). "Emailreg.org is a scam". Joystick Junkie. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  71. ^ "BRBL: Sorry, your email was blocked". May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barracuda_Networks