Ragnar Lothbrok on Proofpoint's Raid of Hornetsecurity: A Viking's Eye View of Cyber Conquest

The Gods of Code and Gold

Hark brothers and sisters! Ragnar Lothbrok speaks! I have heard whispers on the wind carried from across the seas of a great battle brewing not with swords and shields but with… 'cybersecurity.' Apparently there are new lands to conquer not of soil and stone but of data and coin. This 'Proofpoint,' a name that sounds like a challenge from the gods themselves seeks to swallow 'Hornetsecurity' whole! A billion pieces of silver they say! Enough to make even Floki consider a change of profession.

AI: The New Berserker Rage

These modern warriors speak of 'AI fueled cybercrime.' Bah! Sounds like a berserker hopped up on too much mushroom tea. They say this new magic allows for faster and more cunning attacks. But remember even the most fearsome berserker can be outsmarted. It is not enough to simply be strong; one must also be clever. Just like when I tricked those Saxons remember? A little wit goes a long way even in this digital age. I always say: “Power is only given to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up.” These cybersecurity chaps seem to be stooping for something alright.

MSPs: The Trading Routes of the Digital Sea

Proofpoint seeks to control the 'MSP ecosystem,' a phrase as foreign to my ears as the language of the Franks. But I gather it means controlling the trade routes of this new digital sea. Like controlling the waterways to Paris! Sumit Dhawan their leader says this deal will help 'consolidate fragmented security tools into a unified platform.' Sounds like unifying all of England to me! A worthy ambition but one fraught with peril. Remember the gods favor the bold but they also punish the greedy. “I believe my fate will be decided when I die. But until then I will decide my actions.” These MSP routes are definitely something to think about.

To Valhalla...or the Stock Market?

Ah the allure of returning to the 'public markets'… a place where fortunes are made and lost on the whims of… well who knows what? It reminds me of the great hall of Valhalla where the bravest warriors feast and fight for eternity except instead of mead they drink… well I don't even want to know! They went private once for a good sum but now they seek to come back to the markets for more riches. This Dhawan chap sounds ambitious just like I was when I first decided to cross the sea. I say to them: “How I long to be sailing once more into unknown lands.” These markets better be unknown to them.

Small Boats and Big Raids

Hornetsecurity serves many small businesses like small Viking longboats ready to raid the coasts. Proofpoint with its army of employees and Fortune 100 clients is like a massive warship ready to conquer. But remember even a small boat can sink a mighty ship with the right strategy. These AI fueled attacks are becoming harder and harder to predict and the small businesses are the ones that suffer the most. Small business owners are like the farmers of our communities. They work hard and deserve to keep what they earn. But the tide of cyber attacks seems to keep washing away their earning. Very unfortunate.

The Closing of the Deal: A Toast to Future Conquests

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025. A long wait! Plenty of time for spies and counter spies for treachery and alliances. In the meantime let us raise a horn of mead to Proofpoint and Hornetsecurity. May their battle be fierce their victory decisive and their spoils…well hopefully they'll share some with Ragnar Lothbrok! For now I will leave you with this thought: “There is no need for Gods. I am greater than any God.” Now go forth and conquer… responsibly of course!