Proofpoint to acquire Varonis for $6.3 billion, expanding its MSP security platform

Proofpoint announced on October 15, 2026, that it has agreed to acquire data and AI security firm Varonis in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $6.3 billion — described as the largest cybersecurity acquisition announced so far in 2026. Varonis shareholders will receive $49.75 per share, a 52% premium over its June 22 closing price. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, after which Varonis will be taken private.

For businesses working with MSPs, the deal matters because Proofpoint already operates a dedicated MSP platform built on its earlier acquisition of Hornetsecurity, which gave it a broad channel of managed service providers. Varonis brings complementary tools: its platform maps where sensitive data lives, who can access it, and how it is used — capabilities that become more important as AI agents are given broad access to business files and systems. Proofpoint says it plans to connect the two companies' capabilities into a unified data and AI security platform after closing. MSPs should expect these combined offerings to be packaged for SMB customers, potentially simplifying the number of separate security tools a provider needs to manage on a client's behalf.

The two companies will continue operating independently until the deal closes. Businesses relying on either Varonis or Proofpoint for managed detection and response or email security should have no immediate service disruption to plan for, but it is a reasonable time to ask your MSP or security provider how they expect the eventual product integration to affect your current tools and contracts.