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WatchGuard

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WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryNetwork security and Computer security
Founded1996; 28 years ago (1996)
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington
,
United States
Key people
Prakash Panjwani (CEO)
ProductsUnified Threat Management (UTM) devices, Next-generation firewalls, secure Wi-Fi devices, cloud-based threat intelligence, device detection
Revenue$252.1 Million USD (2022)
Number of employees
1,200+
Websitewatchguard.com

WatchGuard, formally known as WatchGuard Technologies, Inc, is an American technology company based in Seattle, Washington. It specializes in network security solutions aimed at safeguarding computer networks from external threats such as malware and ransomware.[1]

The company was founded in 1996.

History

WatchGuard was initially established in 1996 under the name Seattle Software Labs, Inc.[2] Its inaugural product was a network firewall known as the WatchGuard Security Management System,[3] which included the WatchGuard Firebox, a "firewall in a box" security appliance, along with configuration and administration software.[4]

In 1997, the company rebranded itself as WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.[2]

Come July 1999, WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. went public, trading on Nasdaq.[5]

In October 2006, the company was acquired for $151 million by private equity firms Francisco Partners and Vector Capital. Bruce Coleman assumed the role of interim CEO.[6]

In August 2007, Joe Wang took over as the company's permanent CEO, succeeding Coleman.[7][6]

In May 2014, CEO Wang stepped down, and interim CEO Michael Kohlsdorf, an operating partner with Francisco Partners, assumed leadership.[8]

In April 2015, Kohlsdorf passed the CEO mantle to Prakash Panjwani.[9] It was announced that both Panjwani and Kohlsdorf were joining WatchGuard's board.[10]

In June 2016, the company acquired HawkEye G, a threat-detection and response technology from Hexis Cyber Solutions, now part of KEYW Holding Corp.[9] In October, the company launched the WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud to expand its network security coverage to Wi-Fi networks.[11]

In August 2017, WatchGuard acquired Datablink, a provider of multi-factor authentication software used to secure laptops, servers, and other devices.[12]

In January 2018, the company acquired Percipient Networks, a domain name system security service provider. Later it was renamed as DNSWatch. [13]

In July 2018, the company unveiled AuthPoint, an application designed to offer multi-factor authentication security for businesses.[14]

In March 2020, WatchGuard announced an agreement to acquire Bilbao-based Panda Security, a provider of network endpoint security.[15] The deal was finalized in June.[16]

Products

The company develops security products and services for businesses.[17] There are four product groups: Network Security, Endpoint Security, Secure Wi-Fi, and Multi-Factor Authentication.

The Network Security devices are categorized as Unified Threat Management (UTM), where a single device provides multiple security features. The devices include WatchGuard Dimension, a network discovery tool that allows administrators to identify devices on the network, including mobile devices; and WatchGuard Cloud, giving the devices access to online threat intelligence.[18][19]

The Endpoint Security offering includes products and services that provide advanced endpoint security, endpoint antivirus, security operations, and DNS-level protection and content filtering.[16]

The Secure Wi-Fi product line consists of secure indoor and outdoor Wave 1 and Wave 2 802.11ac Wi-Fi hardware, security subscription services, and WatchGuard's Wi-Fi Cloud, a management platform used to control the devices.[17][11]

The Multi-Factor Authentication group includes the company's AuthPoint application, a multi-factor authentication management and reporting tool that prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive cloud applications, VPNs, and networks.[14]

The company also issues a quarterly security report based on feed data from WatchGuard UTM appliances installed at customer sites. The report highlights the type and frequency of malicious attacks occurring on computer networks.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Cyberattack scramble: sifting through code, a midnight patch and a lost weekend". seattletimes.com. May 16, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Company Overview of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc". bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "About to buy a firewall? Read this first". gcn.com. August 4, 1997. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  4. ^ "Firewalls get watchdog". cnet.com. February 3, 1997. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "WATCHGUARD TECHNOLOGIES INC (WGRD) IPO". nasdaq.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Watchguard Names CEO". crn.com. April 24, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  7. ^ "Company Overview of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc". seattlebusinessmag.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  8. ^ "Watchguard CEO Joe Wang resigns; Michael Kohlsdorf named interim replacement". geekwire.com. May 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "WatchGuard Technologies buys threat-detection software for $3M plus stock". geekwire.com. June 15, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  10. ^ "WatchGuard names Panjwani as CEO". seattletimes.com. May 18, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "WatchGuard Technologies Looks To Take On Cisco Meraki With New Wi-Fi Cloud Solution". crn.com. October 18, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  12. ^ "WatchGuard buys Datablink for authentication". enterprisetimes.co.uk. August 9, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "WatchGuard Buys Percipient Networks To Fortify Its Malware Protection Capabilities For SMBs". crn.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "WatchGuard Introduces Multifactor Authentication Product". channelpronetwork.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  15. ^ "Seattle-based WatchGuard to acquire endpoint protection provider Panda Security". GeekWire. March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "WatchGuard Completes Panda Acquisition". Infosecurity Magazine. June 2, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "WatchGuard Technologies CEO: We're On The Hunt For Acquisitions". crn.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. ^ "2017 Mobility 100: 30 Coolest Mobile Security And Device Management Vendors". crn.com. May 8, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "Product Information: WatchGuard T30-W and WatchGuard Dimension". scmagazine.com. May 2, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  20. ^ "WatchGuard Report Shows Rapid Growth of Attack Techniques, Malware". channelpartnersonline.com. December 12, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
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