Description
Sophos Ltd. is a British security software and hardware company. It develops and markets managed security services and cybersecurity software and hardware, such as managed detection and response, incident response and endpoint security software. Sophos was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by Thoma Bravo in February 2020.
History
Sophos was founded by Jan Hruska and Peter Lammer and began producing its first antivirus and encryption products in 1985. During the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Sophos primarily developed and sold a range of security technologies in the UK, including encryption tools available for most users (private or business). In the late 1990s, Sophos concentrated its efforts on developing and selling antivirus technology and embarked on a program of international expansion.
In 2003, Sophos acquired ActiveState, a Canadian software company that developed anti-spam software. In 2010, the majority interest of Sophos was sold to Apax.
In 2011, Utimaco Safeware AG (acquired by Sophos in 2008–9) was accused of supplying data monitoring and tracking software to partners that have sold to governments such as Syria. Sophos issued a statement of apology and confirmed that they had suspended their relationship with the partners in question and launched an investigation. In February 2014, Sophos announced that it had acquired Cyberoam Technologies, a provider of network security products. In June 2015, Sophos announced plans to raise US$100 million on the London Stock Exchange. Sophos was floated on the FTSE in September 2015. The company behind HitmanPro, Surfright, was acquired by Sophos in December 2015.
On 14 October 2019, Sophos announced that Thoma Bravo, a US-based private equity firm, made an offer to acquire Sophos for US$7.40 per share, representing an enterprise value of approximately US$3.9 billion. The board of directors of Sophos stated their intention to recommend the offer to the company's shareholders unanimously. On 2 March 2020, Sophos announced the completion of the acquisition. In 2024, President Joe Levy was appointed acting CEO after Kris Hagerman resigned from the CEO position.
