Cybersecurity and data protection software producer Barracuda Networks has acquired cloud archiving and business data software provider Sonian for an undisclosed sum, allowing corporates Amazon and Webroot Software to exit.
Sonian has developed a cloud-based archiving platform that enables enterprises to keep communications data in a secure place where it can be retrieved at any time, and where it can be analysed to produce valuable business insights.
Barracuda is buying the company in order to enhance its email security and management capabilities and its data archiving abilities, particularly with regard to cloud platforms such as Microsoft’s Office 365.
The acquisition follows approximately $39m of funding, including $21.6m in a series C round featuring OpenView Venture Partners, Summerhill Venture Partners and Prism Venture Partners that closed in 2014.
E-commerce firm Amazon and cybersecurity technology provider Webroot Software took part in the company’s $9m series B round in 2011 alongside Summerhill and Prism, both of which had also backed its $7.1m series A in 2009. Sonian raised $1m the year before.
BJ Jenkins, president and chief executive of Barracuda, said: “The Sonian team has done a great job of building and delivering a native cloud platform designed to meet the needs of partners and customers.
“The Sonian platform will enable us to continue to drive differentiation and leadership as customers move to Office 365. Further, we believe there is an opportunity to integrate Sonians’ analytics and AI with our data protection portfolio, which combined with our leading security solutions, provides a more complete solution to the market.”