WatchGuard

WatchGuard was initially established in 1996 under the name Seattle Software Labs, Inc.[2] Its inaugural product was a network firewall known as the WatchGuard Security Management System,[3] which included the WatchGuard Firebox, a "firewall in a box" security appliance, along with configuration and administration software.[4]

In 1997, the company rebranded itself as WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.[2]

Come July 1999, WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. went public, trading on Nasdaq.[5]

In October 2006, the company was acquired for $151 million by private equity firms Francisco Partners and Vector Capital. Bruce Coleman assumed the role of interim CEO.[6]

In August 2007, Joe Wang took over as the company's permanent CEO, succeeding Coleman.[7][6]

In May 2014, CEO Wang stepped down, and interim CEO Michael Kohlsdorf, an operating partner with Francisco Partners, assumed leadership.[8]

In April 2015, Kohlsdorf passed the CEO mantle to Prakash Panjwani.[9] It was announced that both Panjwani and Kohlsdorf were joining WatchGuard's board.[10]

In June 2016, the company acquired HawkEye G, a threat-detection and response technology from Hexis Cyber Solutions, now part of KEYW Holding Corp.[9] In October, the company launched the WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud to expand its network security coverage to Wi-Fi networks.[11]

In August 2017, WatchGuard acquired Datablink, a provider of multi-factor authentication software used to secure laptops, servers, and other devices.[12]

In January 2018, the company acquired Percipient Networks, a domain name system service provider.[13]

In July 2018, the company unveiled AuthPoint, an application designed to offer multi-factor authentication security for businesses.[14]

In March 2020, WatchGuard announced an agreement to acquire Madrid-based Panda Security, a provider of network endpoint security.[15] The deal was finalized in June.[16]

The company develops security products and services for businesses.[17] There are four product groups: Network Security, Endpoint Security, Secure Wi-Fi, and Multi-Factor Authentication.

The Network Security devices are categorized as Unified Threat Management (UTM), where a single device provides multiple security features. The devices include WatchGuard Dimension, a network discovery tool that allows administrators to identify devices on the network, including mobile devices; and WatchGuard Cloud, giving the devices access to online threat intelligence.[18][19]

The Endpoint Security offering includes products and services that provide advanced endpoint security, endpoint antivirus, security operations, and DNS-level protection and content filtering.[16]

The Secure Wi-Fi product line consists of secure indoor and outdoor Wave 1 and Wave 2 802.11ac Wi-Fi hardware, security subscription services, and WatchGuard's Wi-Fi Cloud, a management platform used to control the devices.[17][11]

The Multi-Factor Authentication group includes the company's AuthPoint application, a multi-factor authentication management and reporting tool that prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive cloud applications, VPNs, and networks.[14]

The company also issues a quarterly security report based on feed data from WatchGuard UTM appliances installed at customer sites. The report highlights the type and frequency of malicious attacks occurring on computer networks.[20]

• Official website