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Proofpoint acquires Singapore data security startup
Proofpoint’s acquisition of Dathena will bolster its data loss prevention capabilities, enabling organisations to better understand information risk through the use of AI
Proofpoint has acquired Singapore-based data security startup Dathena to bolster its data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities amid the rising tide of ransomware attacks.
Dathena offers artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to help organisations automatically classify and manage data, touting a 99% accuracy rate in data classification and an 80% reduction in information security operational costs.
Proofpoint CEO Gary Steele said integrating Dathena’s AI engine into Proofpoint’s DLP solutions will provide organisations with “unparalleled data protection and help them meet their challenging internal and regulatory compliance requirements”.
Specifically, organisations will be able to automatically discover and classify data in real-time and better understand information risk with industry-specific and custom AI and machine learning-driven data classification models.
Alex Lei, Proofpoint’s senior vice-president for Asia-Pacific and Japan, said: “We are excited to welcome Dathena to Proofpoint. This acquisition reinforces Proofpoint’s commitment to innovation and growth, and increasing our investment in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Dathena founder and CEO Christopher Muffat said joining Proofpoint will enable it to fulfil its mission of protecting the data and privacy of organisations around the world.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team through our unique technology and many innovations enabling better data protection. Working together with Proofpoint, we will reach thousands of new customers while further building trust in a digital world,” he added.
Read more about cyber security in APAC
- The narrowing gender gap may be a cause for cheer, but more needs to be done to curb discrimination, and attract and retain women for cyber security roles in Asia-Pacific.
- Five-year longitudinal study by Imperva shows the proportion of databases with at least one known vulnerability in Australia and Singapore are among the world’s highest.
- OT security experts shed light on the state of OT security in the region, and what’s being done to address skills, competency and organisational challenges.
- Singapore updates its national cyber security strategy to shore up the security of critical infrastructure and enterprises while growing its cyber security industry, among other goals.
In May 2020, Dathena closed a $12m Series A funding round led by Jungle Ventures, with the participation of CapHorn and Seeds Capital, an investment arm of Enterprise Singapore, a government agency championing enterprise development. Existing investors Cerracap Ventures and MS&AD Ventures also participated in that round.
Dathena said at the time that the funds would be used to expand its R&D efforts and grow its North American business. It claimed to have more than 200,000 users in industries such as financial services, healthcare and defence.
