Pitchbook, a financial data and software company, revealed in its recently issued Q2 2021 US PE Breakdown that private equity buyouts in cybersecurity are achieving new highs both in number of deals and the value of deals. Additionally, the sector has seen some mega-deals—specifically, Thoma Bravo’s announced $12.3 billion acquisition of Proofpoint and Bain Capital’s and Crosspoint Capital Partner’s announced $900 million acquisition of ExtraHop Networks, though it should be noted that while both deals have been announced that they have not yet closed.
It is not surprising that the cybersecurity sector is garnering this level of attention, given that remote working arrangements are becoming normalized beyond just being a COVID-coping fad, not to mention the need to protect both companies and individuals from ever-increasing online threats to network and data security. As a result, there really is little doubt, currently, that the demand for online security is going to continue to increase for the foreseeable future.