Barracuda Networks#Acquisitions

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{{Infobox company

| name = Barracuda Networks

| logo = Barracuda_Networks_logo.svg

| logo_size = 260px

| type = Private

| industry = {{ubl|Computer security|Computer data storage}}

| founders = {{ubl|Dean Drako|Michael Perone|Zach Levow}}

| key_people = {{ubl|Hatem Naguib (CEO)|Erin Hintz (CMO)|Joe Billante (CFO)|Nell O'Donnell (GC)|Neal Bradbury (CPO)|Geoff Waters (CRO)|Kim Mota (CHRO)}}

| products = {{ubl|Spam firewalls

|SSL/VPNs

|Backup software|NG firewalls|Backup appliances}}

| revenue = {{US$|352.65 million|link=yes}} (2017)

| foundation = {{Start date and age|2003}}

| location_city = Campbell, California

| location_country = U.S.

| owner = KKR

| num_employees = 1001-5000

| website = {{URL|barracuda.com}}

}}

Barracuda Networks, Inc. provides security, networking and storage products based on network appliances and cloud services.

History

Barracuda Networks was founded in 2003 by CEO Dean Drako, Michael Perone, and Zach Levow, and the company introduced the Barracuda Spam and Virus Firewall in the same year.VentureBeat [https://venturebeat.com/2009/10/13/barracuda-swallows-purewire-as-it-becomes-a-bigger-fish-in-web-based-security-services/ Barracuda swallows Purewire as it becomes a bigger fish in web-based security services] In 2007, the company moved its headquarters to Campbell, California,{{cite news |newspaper=The Campbell Reporter |url=http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/campbellreporter/20070323/business2.shtml |title=Barracuda Networks sinks its teeth into site on Winchester Boulevard |last=Weselby |first=Cathy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213013624/http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/campbellreporter/20070323/business2.shtml |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |date=March 23, 2007}} and opened an office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Crain's Detroit Business [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20070702/SUB/707010306/silicon-valley-firm-picks-ann-arbor-for-office Silicon Valley firm picks Ann Arbor for office]

In January 2006, it closed its first outside investment of $40 million from Sequoia Capital and Francisco Partners.{{Cite web |date=9 January 2006 |title=Barracuda Networks gets $40M funding |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2006/01/09/daily15.html |access-date=25 November 2024 |website=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}

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'.Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080129-barracuda-defends-open-source-antivirus-from-patent-attack.html Barracuda defends open-source antivirus from patent attack] 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.Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080702-barracuda-bites-back-at-trend-micro-in-clamav-patent-lawsuit.html Barracuda bites back at Trend Micro in ClamAV patent lawsuit]

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.Linux.com [http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/155880 Barracuda offers a new alternative to Spamhaus] Soon after opening BRBL many IP addresses got blacklisted without apparent reason and without any technical explanation.{{cite web|url=http://andrew.triumf.ca/barracuda-problems.html |title=Problems with Barracuda blacklist |publisher=Andrew.triumf.ca |date=2007-10-22 |access-date=2013-07-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.linux.com/archive/?module=comments&func=display&cid=1204572 |title=Everything Linux and Open Source |publisher=Linux.com |date=2008-12-17 |access-date=2013-07-11}}

In 2012, the company became a co-sponsor of the Garmin-Barracuda UCI ProTour cycling team.{{cite web |date=January 11, 2012 |title=Garmin-Cervélo becomes Garmin-Barracuda |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/garmin-cervelo-becomes-garmin-barracuda |website=Cycling News}}

Barracuda Networks expanded its research and development facility in Ann Arbor to a 12,500 square foot office building on Depot Street in 2008.{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Mike|title=Barracuda Networks moves into 201 Depot Street in Ann Arbor |date= October 1, 2008 |url= http://www.concentratemedia.com/devnews/201depotannarbor0027.aspx |publisher= Concentrate Media |access-date= July 22, 2013 }} 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.{{cite web|last=Alfs|first=Lizzy|title=Barracuda Networks signs deal to move hundreds of jobs to ex-Borders offices in downtown Ann Arbor|url=http://annarbor.com/business-review/barracuda-networks-bringing-hundreds-of-jobs-to-ex-borders-building-in-downtown-ann-arbor/|publisher=AnnArbor.com|access-date=29 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110232925/http://annarbor.com/business-review/barracuda-networks-bringing-hundreds-of-jobs-to-ex-borders-building-in-downtown-ann-arbor/|archive-date=10 November 2013}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Barracuda Networks CEO resigns to 'pursue other avenues' |url=https://www.annarbor.com/business-review/barracuda-networks-ceo-resigns-to-pursue-other-avenues/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=AnnArbor.com}}{{Cite web |title=Barracuda Networks CEO Resigns |url=http://channelnomics.com/2012/07/11/barracuda-networks-ceo-resigns/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20131110232455/http://channelnomics.com/2012/07/11/barracuda-networks-ceo-resigns/ |archive-date=2013-11-10 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=channelnomics.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Presti |first=Ken |title=Barracuda CEO Resigns {{!}} CRN |url=https://www.crn.com/news/security/240003782/barracuda-ceo-resigns |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.crn.com}}{{Cite web |title=Exit the Dragon: Barracuda Network CEO stands down • The Channel |url=http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2012/07/13/barracuda_network_ceo_quits/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303234336/http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2012/07/13/barracuda_network_ceo_quits/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.channelregister.co.uk |language=en}}

In November 2012, long-time EMC executive William "BJ" Jenkins joined the company as president and CEO.{{cite web | url=http://www.crn.com/news/storage/240009269/longtime-emc-exec-leaves-to-head-barracuda-networks.htm | title=Longtime EMC Exec Leaves to Head Barracuda Networks | date=17 October 2012 }} Jenkins worked at EMC since 1998 and previously served as president of EMC's Backup and Recovery Systems (BRS) Division.{{Cite web |last=Mellor |first=Chris |title=EMC sidelines Data Domain boss |url=https://www.theregister.com/2011/01/12/emc_sidelines_slootman/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}

In November 2013, Barracuda Networks went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CUDA.{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Jeremy C. |date=2013-11-06 |title=Biz Break: Barracuda Networks IPO primes pump for Twitter |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/11/06/biz-break-barracuda-networks-ipo-primes-pump-for-twitter/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}

In November 2015, Barracuda added a new Next Generation Firewall to its firewall family.{{Cite web|title = Barracuda Adds Powerful New Solutions to Next-Generation Firewall Product Family|url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/barracuda-adds-powerful-solutions-next-130000860.html|website = Yahoo Finance|access-date = 2015-11-27}}

In November 2017, private equity firm Thoma Bravo announced they were taking Barracuda Networks private in a $1.6 billion buyout.{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/11/27/network-security-company-barracuda-to-be-acquired-for-1-6-billion/|title=Cybersecurity company Barracuda to go private as part of $1.6 billion acquisition|last=Sawers|first=Paul|date=2017-11-22|website=venturebeat.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-11}} In February 2018 Thoma Bravo announced that it had completed the acquisition.{{Needs citation|date=January 2025}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/exclusive-kkr-nears-4-bln-deal-buy-barracuda-networks-thoma-bravo-sources-2022-04-12/|title=KKR to buy cybersecurity firm Barracuda from Thoma Bravo in deal worth about $4 bln |date=April 12, 2022|work=Reuters |first1=Chibuike |last1=Oguh |first2=Krystal |last2=Hu}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pehub.com/kkr-completes-acquisition-of-cybersecurity-firm-barracuda/ |title=KKR completes acquisition of cybersecurity firm Barracuda |date=August 16, 2022 |website=PE Hub |first=Iris |last=Dorbian}}

In 2024, Barracude Networks launched BarracudeONE, an AI-powered unified cybersecurity platform that consolidates the company's security offerings. The suite includes email protection, data backup, threat detection, and extended detection and response, all in one interface.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Todd R. |date=2025-06-06 |title=Barracuda Networks Unveils BarracudaONE to Simplify Cybersecurity for Businesses |url=https://www.channele2e.com/news/barracuda-networks-unveils-barracudaone-to-simplify-cybersecurity-for-businesses |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=ChannelE2E |language=en}}

In May 2025, Barracuda Networks appointed Michelle Hodges as Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances.{{Cite web |title=Barracuda Hires Ivanti, Microsoft Vet as Channel Leader |url=https://www.channelfutures.com/people-on-the-move/barracuda-hires-ivanti-microsoft-alum-channel-leader |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.channelfutures.com |language=en}}

Acquisitions

In September 2007, Barracuda Networks acquired NetContinuum, which provides application controllers to secure and manage enterprise web applications.{{Cite web |title=Barracuda announces purchase of NetContinuum |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/814143/lan-wan-barracuda-announces-purchase-of-netcontinuum.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Network World |language=en}}
In November 2008, Barracuda Networks acquired BitLeap and 3SP.{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Brian |date=2008-11-17 |title=Barracuda Networks Breaks into SSL VPN Space for Small Business |url=https://www.eweek.com/security/barracuda-networks-breaks-into-ssl-vpn-space-for-small-business/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=eWEEK |language=en-US}}
In January 2009, Barracuda Networks acquired Yosemite Technologies{{Cite web |date=28 January 2009 |title=Barracuda Buys Yosemite |url=https://www.networkcomputing.com/network-infrastructure/barracuda-buys-yosemite |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Network Computing |language=en}} to add software agents for incremental backups of applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server and SQL Server, and Windows system states.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/27/idUS118985+27-Jan-2009+BW20090127 |title=Barracuda Networks Acquires Yosemite Technologies; Integrates Popular Yosemite Backup Software with Barracuda Backup Service | Reuters |website=Reuters |access-date=2017-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140647/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/27/idUS118985+27-Jan-2009+BW20090127 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}
In September 2009, Barracuda Networks acquired controlling interest in phion AG, an Austria-based public company delivering enterprise-class firewalls.Silicon Valley Business Journal [http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2009/09/28/daily9.html Barracuda Networks takes controlling interest in phion] A month later, in October, the company acquired Purewire Inc, a software as a service (SaaS) company offering cloud-based web filtering and security.{{Cite web |last=Karkaria |first=Urvaksh |date=19 October 2009 |title=Barracuda buys Purewire Inc. |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/10/19/story7.html?ana=from_rss |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/02/idUS135956+02-Feb-2011+MW20110202 |title=Barracuda Web Security Flex Provides Web Security with No Limits | Reuters |website=Reuters |access-date=2017-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150942/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/02/idUS135956+02-Feb-2011+MW20110202 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}
In April 2013, Barracuda Networks acquired SignNow.{{Cite web |last=Westervelt |first=Robert |title=Barracuda Acquires SignNow For Storage Business {{!}} CRN |url=https://www.crn.com/news/storage/240155382/barracuda-acquires-signnow-for-storage-business |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.crn.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/barracuda-acquires-signnow-cloud-data-storage/|title=Barracuda acquires SignNow; cloud data storage|last=Nusca|first=Andrew|date=2013-05-22|work=ZDNet|access-date=2017-12-28|language=en}}
In 2014, Barracuda Networks purchased C2C Systems UK.{{Cite web |last=Cusanelli |first=Michael |date=10 September 2014 |title=Barracuda Acquires C2C Systems, Expands Portfolio |url=https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/barracuda-acquires-c2c-systems-expands-portfolio |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Channel Futures}}
In October 2015, Barracuda Networks acquired Intronis.{{Cite news|url=http://www.betaboston.com/news/2015/09/29/chelmsford-storage-firm-intronis-acquired-by-barracuda-networks/|title=Chelmsford storage firm Intronis acquired by Barracuda Networks for $65M|last=Newsham|first=Jack|date=2015-09-29|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=2017-12-28|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112345/http://www.betaboston.com/news/2015/09/29/chelmsford-storage-firm-intronis-acquired-by-barracuda-networks/|url-status=dead}}
In November 2017, Barracuda purchased Sonian.{{Cite news|url=http://www.crn.com/news/security/300095301/big-data-buy-barracuda-purchases-cloud-information-archiving-and-analytics-specialist-sonian.htm|title=Big Data Buy: Barracuda Purchases Cloud Information Archiving And Analytics Specialist Sonian|last=Novinson|first=Michael|date=2017-11-08|work=CRN|access-date=2018-01-02|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=FinSMEs |date=2017-11-09 |title=Barracuda Acquires Cloud Archiving and Analytics Company Sonian |url=https://www.finsmes.com/2017/11/barracuda-acquires-cloud-archiving-and-analytics-company-sonian.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=FinSMEs |language=en-US}} In the same month, Barracuda announced that it was being acquired by private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, LLC.{{Cite web|url=http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/2017/11/27/thoma-bravo-to-take-barracuda-networks-private-in-1-6-billion-acquisition/|title=Thoma Bravo to Take Barracuda Private in $1.6 Billion Buy|website=www.channelpartnersonline.com|date=27 November 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-02}}{{Cite web |last=Mellor |first=Chris |date=2022-08-18 |title=Barracuda sold to another private equity business |url=https://blocksandfiles.com/2022/08/18/barracuda-sold-to-private-equity/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Blocks and Files |language=en-US}}
In January 2018, Barracuda acquired PhishLine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/barracuda-hooks-phishline-in-social-engineering-security-acquisition/d/d-id/1330739|title=Barracuda Hooks PhishLine in Social Engineering Security Acquisition|work=Dark Reading|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en}}
In July 2021, Barracuda Networks acquired SKOUT Cybersecurity.{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Carly |date=2021-07-01 |title=Barracuda acquires Skout Cybersecurity to enter the XDR market |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/01/barracuda-enters-xdr-market-with-skout-cybersecurity-acquisition/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}
In April 2022, KKR purchased Barracuda Networks from Thoma Bravo for a reported $4 billion.{{Cite web |title=KKR Snags Barracuda In $4B Deal Led By Simpson, Kirkland {{!}} News {{!}} Kirkland & Ellis LLP |url=https://www.kirkland.com/news/in-the-news/2022/04/kkr-snags-barracuda |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.kirkland.com |language=en}}
In 2024, the company acquired Fyde.{{Cite web |last=Jolien |date=2021-02-15 |title=Barracuda Networks acquires Fyde |url=https://www.kappadata.be/en/barracuda-networks-acquires-fyde/#:~:text=Barracuda%20Networks%20acquires%20Fyde,hybrid%20and%20multi-cloud%20environments. |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Kappa Data |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |title= Secret backdoors found in firewall, VPN gear from Barracuda Networks |author= Dan Goodin |work= Ars Technica |date= January 24, 2013 |url= https://arstechnica.com/security/2013/01/secret-backdoors-found-in-firewall-vpn-gear-from-barracuda-networks/ |access-date= July 22, 2013 }}

=IP reputation and Emailreg.org =

On April 13, 2009, Emailreg.org published a notice clarifying that it is an allowlist of domains that have no impact on Barracuda Blog Lists.{{Cite web|title=EmailReg.org|url=http://www.emailreg.org/index.cgi?p=news&id=4| date= April 13, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170606123546/http://www.emailreg.org/index.cgi?p=news&id=4|access-date=2020-05-07|archive-date = 2017-06-06}} 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.{{Cite web|title=EmailReg.org|url=http://www.emailreg.org/index.cgi|date=2018-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901075744/http://www.emailreg.org/index.cgi|access-date=2020-05-07|archive-date=2018-09-01}} Emailreg.org discontinued services shortly thereafter and is no longer in operation.{{Cite web|title=Emailreg.org -This site can't be reached|url=http://emailreg.org/|website=Emailreg.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224035006/http://emailreg.org/|archive-date=2018-02-24}} As of May 2, 2020, the same warning appears for some IP addresses.{{Cite web |title= BRBL: Sorry, your email was blocked |date= May 2, 2020 |url= https://www.barracudacentral.org/reputation |access-date= May 2, 2020 }}