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Fortra
Company typePrivate
IndustryInformation security
Founded1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Key people
Kate Bolseth, CEO; Matt Reck, President
ProductsCybersecurity software and services
Number of employees
3,000
ParentTA Associates, Harvest Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partners, HGGC
Websitewww.fortra.com

Fortra is an American cybersecurity company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.[1][2] The company was founded as Help/38 in 1982, rebranded as HelpSystems in 1988, and became Fortra in 2022. Fortra is owned by private equity firms TA Associates, Harvest Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partners, and HGGC.

History

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Help/38 was founded in 1982 by Dick Jacobson.[3][4] Help/38's first product, Robot/38, provided IT automation for the IBM System/38.[5] In 1988, when IBM replaced the System/38 with the AS/400, the company became known as HelpSystems (sometimes stylized as Help/Systems).

In 1992, HelpSystems became the first software company in the United States to be certified under the ISO 9001 standard.[6]

Between 2005 and 2018, HelpSystems experienced growth and multiple changes in ownership. Acquired by Summit Partners in 2005[7] and Audax Group in 2007,[8] the company expanded its offerings through the acquisition of several software firms.[9][4] Summit Partners repurchased a majority stake in 2012,[7] followed by a series of acquisitions including Safestone,[10] CCSS,[11] and IBM's ShowCase business intelligence products.[12]

H.I.G. Capital acquired the company in 2015.[13] Subsequent additions of Tango/04 Computing Group,[14] Linoma Software,[15] and TeamQuest[16] added real-time monitoring, secure file transfer, and IT service optimization solutions to HelpSystems' offerings. In 2018, private equity firm HGGC became the lead investor,[17] and HelpSystems acquired Midrange Performance Group.[18]

HelpSystems further expanded its cybersecurity capabilities in 2019 through the acquisition of Core Security[19] and UK-based Clearswift.[20] TA Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners also became investors.[21] In 2020, the company expanded further by acquiring data classification firms Titus and Boldon James.[22] HelpSystems released a report on COVID-19's impact on financial services firms' cybersecurity,[23] and acquired cloud-based data protection provider Vera.[24]

In 2021, HelpSystems acquired several companies to expand its cybersecurity and data protection services, including FileCatalyst,[25] Digital Defense,[26] Beyond Security,[27] Agari,[28] PhishLabs,[29] and Digital Guardian.[30] During this time, private equity firm Harvest Partners SCF LP also acquired partial ownership in HelpSystems.[31] A 2021 report from PhishLabs by HelpSystems showed that social media attacks had doubled that year, with financial institutions being the most targeted sector.[32]

In 2022, HelpSystems expanded its portfolio with the acquisitions of Tripwire,[33] Alert Logic,[34] Terranova Security,[35] and Outflank.[36] These acquisitions extended Fortra's cybersecurity capabilities, adding solutions for IT security compliance, cloud-based security, security awareness training, and advanced threat detection respectively. In October of that year, PhishLabs by HelpSystems identified a weakness in Google Ads being used by attackers to target financial institutions.[37] HelpSystems rebranded as Fortra in November 2022.[38][39]

In 2023, Fortra collaborated with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center to combat the abuse of cracked, legacy copies of their Cobalt Strike software by cybercriminals for distributing malware, including ransomware. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York authorized the disruption of malicious infrastructure, enabling relevant ISPs and CERTs to take it offline.[2][40]

In July 2024, Fortra collaborated with Europol in "Operation Morpheus" to dismantle nearly 600 IP addresses associated with the criminal use of Cobalt Strike. This effort, involving 27 countries and private sector partners, significantly enhanced global cybersecurity by mitigating the misuse of Fortra's software for malicious activities.[41][42]

Products and services

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Fortra categorizes its cybersecurity and automation products into the following areas:

Data protection

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Fortra's data protection solutions focus on protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and data breaches. Digital Guardian offers data loss prevention (DLP) and secure collaboration.[43] Fortra's Data Classification Suite, previously known as Titus and Boldon James, specializes in data classification and security, ensuring that data is appropriately marked and handled.[22][44]

Infrastructure protection

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Fortra's infrastructure protection segment includes Cobalt Strike, Outflank, Core Security, Digital Defense, and Beyond Security, which offer tools and services for penetration testing, vulnerability management, fuzz testing, and red teaming.[45][46]

Digital risk and email security

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Agari's email security solutions protect organizations from phishing and email-based attacks.[47] PhishLabs provides digital risk protection services, including threat intelligence and anti-phishing capabilities.[48] Clearswift specializes in content inspection and data loss prevention.[49]

Security awareness training

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Terranova Security offers security awareness training, equipping employees with the knowledge to recognize and prevent cybersecurity threats. This training is intended to build a human firewall against cyber attacks.[50]

Managed security services

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Fortra's managed security services provide security monitoring and management.[51] Alert Logic delivers cloud-based managed detection and response (MDR), extended detection and response (XDR), and managed web application firewall (WAF).[52][53] Tripwire's managed services focus on maintaining IT system file integrity and compliance.[54] Digital Guardian provides managed data loss prevention (DLP) and PhishLabs offers managed digital risk protection.[55][56]

Secure file transfer

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GoAnywhere MFT provides encrypted file transfer capabilities, aligning with various regulatory standards like PCI DSS and HIPAA.[57] The system features audit trails and automated workflows, accessible through a browser-based interface.

References

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  1. ^ "HelpSystems, one of Minnesota's largest software developers, changes name to Fortra". StarTribune. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  2. ^ a b "Microsoft and cybersecurity firm Fortra go after top hacking tool". Axios. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  3. ^ "HelpSystems, LLC". PrivCo. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. ^ a b "How HelpSystems Became Fortra". IT Jungle. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  5. ^ "New Products Software & Services". Google Books. Computerworld. 1986-01-27. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. ^ "Help/Systems Receives Investment from Summit Partners". Summit Partners. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  7. ^ a b "Summit Partners Acquires Control Of Help/Systems–Again". IT Jungle. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  8. ^ "Audax to Buy Help/Systems". Venture Capital Journal. 19 September 2007. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  9. ^ "Corum Leads Sale of PowerTech to Help/Systems on Behalf of Audax". Corum Group. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  10. ^ "HelpSystems adds SkyView to security line-up". PowerWire. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  11. ^ "Systems Monitoring Made Easier, Better, GUI-er". IT Jungle. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  12. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires International Business Machines - ShowCase Business Intelligence Software Portfolio". Mergr. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  13. ^ "Summit Selling HelpSystems Again, This Time to H.I.G. Capital". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  14. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Tango/04 Computing Group". APM Digest. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  15. ^ "Another day, another acquisition for tech company HelpSystems". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  16. ^ "HelpSystems buys IT company with Minneapolis operations". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  17. ^ "HGGC Backs HelpSystems". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  18. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Midrange Performance Group". APM Digest. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  19. ^ "CORE SECURITY HISTORY". Zippia. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  20. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires UK-based Content Protection Firm Clearswift". Security Week. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  21. ^ "HelpSystems Receives Investment from TA Associates and Charlesbank Capital Partners". FinSMEs. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  22. ^ a b "HelpSystems Acquires Two Security Software Companies". Info Security. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  23. ^ "65% of Financial Services Firms Suffered a Cyberattack Last Year". CISO Mag. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  24. ^ "HelpSystems acquires data security platform provider Vera Security". SiliconANGLE. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  25. ^ "HelpSystems to bolster cybersecurity offering with FileCatalyst acquisition". Fintech Global. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  26. ^ "Minnesota company acquires another San Antonio cyber player". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  27. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Beyond Security, Expands Cybersecurity Portfolio". Channel Futures. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  28. ^ "HelpSystems acquires Agari, Beyond Security for cybersecurity enhancement". SC Magazine. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  29. ^ "HelpSystems Goes Phishing For Cyber Threat Hunter". IT Jungle. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  30. ^ "HelpSystems aims to strengthen security portfolio with Digital Guardian acquisition". SC Magazine. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  31. ^ "Harvest Partners Takes a Stake in HelpSystems". The Middle Market. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  32. ^ "PhishLabs: Social media attacks doubled in 2021". Cyber Magazine. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  33. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires File Integrity Monitoring Company Tripwire". Tech.mn. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  34. ^ "Eden Prairie's HelpSystems announces 10th acquisition in 15 months". StarTribune. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  35. ^ "HelpSystems acquires cybersecurity awareness trainer". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  36. ^ "HelpSystems Acquires Outflank". FinSMEs. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  37. ^ "How phishing campaigns abuse Google Ad click tracking redirects". Help Net Security. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  38. ^ "HelpSystems Rebrands As Fortra". My Tech Decisions. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  39. ^ "HelpSystems Rebrands as Fortra, Reflects Evolving Threat Landscape". Channel Futures. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  40. ^ "Microsoft, hospital group use court order to disrupt ransomware attacks aimed at health sector". CNN. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  41. ^ "Europol nukes nearly 600 IP addresses in Cobalt Strike crackdown". The Register. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  42. ^ "Operation Morpheus Took Down 593 Cobalt Strike Servers Used By Threat Actors". Security Affairs. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  43. ^ "Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration". G2.com. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  44. ^ "Fortra's Data Classification Suite". Fortra.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  45. ^ "IT Infrastructure Protection". Fortra.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  46. ^ "Microsoft, Fortra get court order to disrupt Cobalt Strike". TechTarget. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  47. ^ "HelpSystems Buys Email Security Firm Agari To Thwart Phishing". CRN.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  48. ^ "Phishing sites trick users with fake HTTPS padlock". TechRadar. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  49. ^ "The top UK cyber security companies". Information-Age.com. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  50. ^ "How to detect and mitigate phishing risks with Microsoft and Terranova Security". Microsoft.com. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  51. ^ "Managed Security Services". Fortra.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  52. ^ "13 Best Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) for 2023". eSecurity Planet. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  53. ^ "Fortra Brings Managed XDR to Market". Fortra.com. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  54. ^ "Tripwire explained". infosec-jobs.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  55. ^ "Top 6 Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Solutions (Full Comparison)". eSecurity Planet. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  56. ^ "New research finds alarming jump in phishing attacks". SecurityBrief.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  57. ^ "GoAnywhere MFT Reviews". Capterra. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
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