Cofense, a phishing detection and response (PDR) solutions provider, has purchased email security company Cyberfish for an undisclosed sum. Together, Cofense and Cyberfish will offer a one-stop shop for email security, Cofense CEO Rohyt Belani said.
This is technology M&A deal number 223 that MSSP Alert and sister site ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2021. See all technology M&A deals for 2021 and 2020 listed here.
With the acquisition, Cofense will combine Cyberfish's machine learning capabilities with its PDR technology to provide an automation solution for email protection, detection and response, according to a prepared statement. Also, Cyberfish's technology now can be deployed as part of the Cofense Managed PDR service and is available to the company's global MSP partners.
The Cofense-Cyberfish deal essentially counters major cybersecurity platform providers such as Barracuda Networks, OpenText Webroot, Sophos and other firms that offer cybersecurity awareness training and email security applications to MSPs and MSSPs.
Cofense also counters KnowBe4 (which is preparing for a potential IPO) and upstarts such as HacWare (which is incubating in New York City).
What Is Cyberfish?
Cyberfish offers a zero-second phishing protection solution, the company stated. The solution lets organizations use computer vision and artificial intelligence to combat phishing attacks.
Key features of Cyberfish's solution include:
- Cloud Email Integration: Can be used to protect cloud email accounts on any device, app or extension
- Phishing Detection: Identifies phishing web pages and their variants
- Reporting: Provides analysis of received, scanned and detected phishing pages, including targeted user, source, location and brand
The solution also offers multi-tenant management, reporting and integration, Cyberfish noted. As such, MSPs and MSSPs can use the solution to protect their customers against phishing attacks.
How Does Cyberfish Work with MSPs and MSSPs?
Cyberfish provides a partner program that empowers MSPs and MSSPs to integrate its phishing protection solution into their portfolios. The program's features include:
- Unlimited not-for-resale (NFR) license
- Multi-tenant console
- ConnectWise, Datto, SyncroMSP and Kaseya integrations
- Access to a security operations center (SOC) and support center
Cyberfish in August 2020 hired Datto veteran Christine Gassman as its director of North America channel sales. Meanwhile, Cofense launched a partner program for MSSPs in January 2019.
Disclosure: Channel Angels, an angel investor group, explored a potential investment in Cyberfish in early 2021, but no such investment materialized. MSSP Alert editor Joe Panettieri and other MSP industry veterans participate in Channel Angels investments.
