Barracuda Networks to acquire MSP cybersecurity firm SKOUT

Security vendor says the move will allow it to enter 'the fast-growing XDR market'

Barracuda Networks has announced its intention to acquire cybersecurity firm SKOUT.

The Thoma Bravo-owned security vendor has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SKOUT Cybersecurity, which offers cyber-as-a-service software for managed service providers (MSPs) and provides an extended detection and response (XDR) platform and service.

"We are excited to add an XDR solution with a SOC to our already best-in-class security solution portfolio. Our goal is to accelerate our EMEA channel partners' journeys to security-centric operations — where they can protect their clients' users, devices, and applications and efficiently respond to a subset of critical threats. This is a great opportunity for our MSPs and partners to leverage Barracuda's security expertise in growing their own portfolios with existing resources," said Brian Babineau, SVP and GM at Barracuda MSP.

Barracuda says the move will allow it to enter "the fast-growing XDR market with a solution optimised for MSPs", adding that it will expand the business' portfolio with a "powerful XDR platform for MSPs that is backed by a 24x7 SOC".

It claims SKOUT's XDR platform connects with "critical security infrastructures such as email, firewall and identity and access" to address threats "more efficiently" with" additional threat detection, threat analysis, and response capabilities".

Moreover, Barracuda says it will "eliminate customers' expense of training and staffing for 24x7 service" because of the ability to instead "utilise SKOUT's security professionals to handle the SOC operation".

"We owe so much of our success to our MSP partners. We have been focused on building the best XDR and cyber platform for MSPs and plan to continue doing so faster and better with Barracuda. With Barracuda's resources, we will have incredible access to threat intelligence, R&D, and support to build a greater XDR product and better serve our partners and the MSP community, both in EMEA and around the world," said SKOUT Cybersecurity co-founder and CEO Aidan Kehoe.

The acquisition is expected to close in July and follows the purchase of Fyde, a zero trust network access firm, in November last year.