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In 2022, HelpSystems expanded its portfolio with the acquisitions of Tripwire,<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Acquires File Integrity Monitoring Company Tripwire|url=https://tech.mn/news/2022/02/10/helpsystems-acquires-file-integrity-monitoring-company-tripwire|website=Tech.mn|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> Alert Logic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eden Prairie's HelpSystems announces 10th acquisition in 15 months|url=https://www.startribune.com/eden-prairies-helpsystems-announces-10th-acquisition-in-15-months/600155095/|website=StarTribune|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> Terranova Security,<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems acquires cybersecurity awareness trainer|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2022/04/08/helpsytems-terranova-acquisition.html|website=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> and Outflank.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Acquires Outflank|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2022/09/helpsystems-acquires-outflank.html|website=FinSMEs|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> These acquisitions extended Fortra's cybersecurity capabilities, adding solutions for IT security compliance, cloud-based security, security awareness training, and advanced threat detection respectively. In October of that year, PhishLabs by HelpSystems identified a weakness in [[Google Ads]] being used by attackers to target financial institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How phishing campaigns abuse Google Ad click tracking redirects|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/10/21/how-phishing-campaigns-abuse-google-ad-click-tracking-redirects-video/|website=Help Net Security|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> HelpSystems rebranded as Fortra in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Rebrands As Fortra|url=https://mytechdecisions.com/network-security/helpsystems-rebrands-as-fortra/|website=My Tech Decisions|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Rebrands as Fortra, Reflects Evolving Threat Landscape|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/business-models/helpsystems-rebrands-as-fortra-reflects-evolving-threat-landscape|website=Channel Futures|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref>
In 2022, HelpSystems expanded its portfolio with the acquisitions of Tripwire,<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Acquires File Integrity Monitoring Company Tripwire|url=https://tech.mn/news/2022/02/10/helpsystems-acquires-file-integrity-monitoring-company-tripwire|website=Tech.mn|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> Alert Logic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eden Prairie's HelpSystems announces 10th acquisition in 15 months|url=https://www.startribune.com/eden-prairies-helpsystems-announces-10th-acquisition-in-15-months/600155095/|website=StarTribune|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> Terranova Security,<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems acquires cybersecurity awareness trainer|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2022/04/08/helpsytems-terranova-acquisition.html|website=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> and Outflank.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Acquires Outflank|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2022/09/helpsystems-acquires-outflank.html|website=FinSMEs|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> These acquisitions extended Fortra's cybersecurity capabilities, adding solutions for IT security compliance, cloud-based security, security awareness training, and advanced threat detection respectively. In October of that year, PhishLabs by HelpSystems identified a weakness in [[Google Ads]] being used by attackers to target financial institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How phishing campaigns abuse Google Ad click tracking redirects|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/10/21/how-phishing-campaigns-abuse-google-ad-click-tracking-redirects-video/|website=Help Net Security|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref> HelpSystems rebranded as Fortra in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Rebrands As Fortra|url=https://mytechdecisions.com/network-security/helpsystems-rebrands-as-fortra/|website=My Tech Decisions|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HelpSystems Rebrands as Fortra, Reflects Evolving Threat Landscape|url=https://www.channelfutures.com/business-models/helpsystems-rebrands-as-fortra-reflects-evolving-threat-landscape|website=Channel Futures|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref>


In 2023, Fortra collaborated with [[Microsoft|Microsoft's]] Digital Crimes Unit and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center to combat the abuse of cracked, legacy copies of their Cobalt Strike software by cybercriminals for distributing [[malware]], including [[ransomware]]. The [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York|U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York]] authorized the disruption of malicious infrastructure, enabling relevant [[Internet service provider|ISPs]] and [[Computer emergency response team|CERTs]] to take it offline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=H-ISAC, Microsoft and Fortra fight ransomware in court|url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/h-isac-microsoft-and-fortra-fight-ransomware-court|website=Healthcare IT News|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref>
In 2023, Fortra collaborated with [[Microsoft|Microsoft's]] Digital Crimes Unit and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center to combat the abuse of cracked, legacy copies of their [[Metasploit#Cobalt_Strike|Cobalt Strike]] software by cybercriminals for distributing [[malware]], including [[ransomware]]. The [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York|U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York]] authorized the disruption of malicious infrastructure, enabling relevant [[Internet service provider|ISPs]] and [[Computer emergency response team|CERTs]] to take it offline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=H-ISAC, Microsoft and Fortra fight ransomware in court|url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/h-isac-microsoft-and-fortra-fight-ransomware-court|website=Healthcare IT News|access-date=2023-05-17}}</ref>


== Products and services ==
== Products and services ==

Revision as of 15:02, 8 January 2024

  • Comment: Comparing to notes in the deletion log, this article seems significantly improved from its previous state. The company appears to be notable and my inclination would be to accept, but given the history I'm going to wait for more consensus. Mrmctorso (talk) 22:57, 29 May 2023 (UTC)
Fortra
Company typePrivate
IndustryInformation security
Founded1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Key people
Kate Bolseth, CEO; Matthew Schoenfeld, President; Matt Reck, CFO
ProductsCybersecurity software and services
Number of employees
3,000
ParentTA Associates, Harvest Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partners, HGGC
Websitewww.fortra.com

Fortra is an American cybersecurity company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.[1] The company was founded as Help/38 in 1982, rebranded as HelpSystems in 1988, and became Fortra in 2022. Fortra is owned by private equity firms TA Associates, Harvest Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partners, and HGGC.

History

Help/38 was founded in 1982 by Dick Jacobson.[2][3] Help/38's first product, Robot/38, provided IT automation for the IBM System/38.[4] In 1988, when IBM replaced the System/38 with the AS/400, the company became known as HelpSystems (sometimes stylized as Help/Systems).

In 1992, HelpSystems became the first software company in the United States to be certified under the ISO 9001 standard.[5]

Between 2005 and 2018, HelpSystems experienced growth and multiple changes in ownership. Acquired by Summit Partners in 2005[6] and Audax Group in 2007,[7] the company expanded its offerings through the acquisition of several software firms.[8][3] Summit Partners repurchased a majority stake in 2012,[6] followed by a series of acquisitions including Safestone,[9] CCSS,[10] and IBM's ShowCase business intelligence products.[11]

H.I.G. Capital acquired the company in 2015.[12] Subsequent additions of Tango/04 Computing Group,[13] Linoma Software,[14] and TeamQuest[15] added real-time monitoring, secure file transfer, and IT service optimization solutions to HelpSystems' offerings. In 2018, private equity firm HGGC became the lead investor,[16] and HelpSystems acquired Midrange Performance Group.[17]

HelpSystems further expanded its cybersecurity capabilities in 2019 through the acquisition of Core Security[18] and UK-based Clearswift.[19] TA Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners also became investors.[20] In 2020, the company expanded further by acquiring data classification firms Titus and Boldon James.[21] HelpSystems released a report on COVID-19's impact on financial services firms' cybersecurity,[22] and acquired cloud-based data protection provider Vera.[23]

In 2021, HelpSystems acquired several companies to expand its cybersecurity and data protection services, including FileCatalyst,[24] Digital Defense,[25] Beyond Security,[26] Agari,[27] PhishLabs,[28] and Digital Guardian.[29] During this time, private equity firm Harvest Partners SCF LP also acquired partial ownership in HelpSystems.[30] A 2021 report from PhishLabs by HelpSystems showed that social media attacks had doubled that year, with financial institutions being the most targeted sector.[31]

In 2022, HelpSystems expanded its portfolio with the acquisitions of Tripwire,[32] Alert Logic,[33] Terranova Security,[34] and Outflank.[35] These acquisitions extended Fortra's cybersecurity capabilities, adding solutions for IT security compliance, cloud-based security, security awareness training, and advanced threat detection respectively. In October of that year, PhishLabs by HelpSystems identified a weakness in Google Ads being used by attackers to target financial institutions.[36] HelpSystems rebranded as Fortra in November 2022.[37][38]

In 2023, Fortra collaborated with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center to combat the abuse of cracked, legacy copies of their Cobalt Strike software by cybercriminals for distributing malware, including ransomware. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York authorized the disruption of malicious infrastructure, enabling relevant ISPs and CERTs to take it offline.[39]

Products and services

Fortra develops and sells various cybersecurity and automation products, many of which have been added to their portfolio through acquisitions. Fortra product lines include:

  • Agari
  • Alert Logic
  • Clearswift
  • Cobalt Strike
  • Core Security
  • Digital Defense
  • Digital Guardian
  • GoAnywhere
  • Outflank
  • PhishLabs
  • Terranova Security
  • Titus
  • Tripwire

References

  1. ^ "HelpSystems, one of Minnesota's largest software developers, changes name to Fortra". StarTribune. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  2. ^ "HelpSystems, LLC". PrivCo. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  3. ^ a b "How HelpSystems Became Fortra". IT Jungle. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. ^ "New Products Software & Services". Google Books. Computerworld. 1986-01-27. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  5. ^ "Help/Systems Receives Investment from Summit Partners". Summit Partners. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. ^ a b "Summit Partners Acquires Control Of Help/Systems–Again". IT Jungle. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  7. ^ "Audax to Buy Help/Systems". Venture Capital Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  8. ^ "Corum Leads Sale of PowerTech to Help/Systems on Behalf of Audax". Corum Group. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  9. ^ "HelpSystems adds SkyView to security line-up". PowerWire. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  10. ^ "Systems Monitoring Made Easier, Better, GUI-er". IT Jungle. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  11. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires International Business Machines - ShowCase Business Intelligence Software Portfolio". Mergr. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  12. ^ "Summit Selling HelpSystems Again, This Time to H.I.G. Capital". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  13. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Tango/04 Computing Group". APM Digest. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  14. ^ "Another day, another acquisition for tech company HelpSystems". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  15. ^ "HelpSystems buys IT company with Minneapolis operations". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  16. ^ "HGGC Backs HelpSystems". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  17. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Midrange Performance Group". APM Digest. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  18. ^ "CORE SECURITY HISTORY". Zippia. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  19. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires UK-based Content Protection Firm Clearswift". Security Week. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  20. ^ "HelpSystems Receives Investment from TA Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners". FinSMEs. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  21. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Two Security Software Companies". Info Security. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  22. ^ "65% of Financial Services Firms Suffered a Cyberattack Last Year". CISO Mag. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  23. ^ "HelpSystems acquires data security platform provider Vera Security". SiliconANGLE. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  24. ^ "HelpSystems to bolster cybersecurity offering with FileCatalyst acquisition". Fintech Global. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  25. ^ "Minnesota company acquires another San Antonio cyber player". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  26. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Beyond Security, Expands Cybersecurity Portfolio". Channel Futures. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  27. ^ "HelpSystems acquires Agari, Beyond Security for cybersecurity enhancement". SC Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  28. ^ "HelpSystems Goes Phishing For Cyber Threat Hunter". IT Jungle. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  29. ^ "HelpSystems aims to strengthen security portfolio with Digital Guardian acquisition". SC Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  30. ^ "Harvest Partners Takes a Stake in HelpSystems". The Middle Market. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  31. ^ "PhishLabs: Social media attacks doubled in 2021". Cyber Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  32. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires File Integrity Monitoring Company Tripwire". Tech.mn. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  33. ^ "Eden Prairie's HelpSystems announces 10th acquisition in 15 months". StarTribune. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  34. ^ "HelpSystems acquires cybersecurity awareness trainer". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  35. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Outflank". FinSMEs. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  36. ^ "How phishing campaigns abuse Google Ad click tracking redirects". Help Net Security. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  37. ^ "HelpSystems Rebrands As Fortra". My Tech Decisions. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  38. ^ "HelpSystems Rebrands as Fortra, Reflects Evolving Threat Landscape". Channel Futures. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  39. ^ "H-ISAC, Microsoft and Fortra fight ransomware in court". Healthcare IT News. Retrieved 2023-05-17.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fortra&oldid=1194347156"