CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Proofpoint vs SoSafe

Proofpoint sells security that covers data and AI as one system, with access that follows intent. SoSafe sells security awareness training, phishing and multi-channel simulations, threat reporting, and human risk monitoring on a single platform. CISO Tribune files both under Human risk management. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • Proofpoint
  • SoSafe
Proofpoint vs SoSafe: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
ProofpointProofpoint sells security that covers data and AI as one system, with access that follows intent.proofpoint.comSoSafeSoSafe sells security awareness training, phishing and multi-channel simulations, threat reporting, and human risk monitoring on a single platform.sosafe-awareness.com
What it sells
  • ITM / Endpoint DLP[19]Endpoint software whose main features are supported on Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services[21]A Proofpoint team that provides Threat Insights.
  • ET Intel[21]A subscription that gives full access to all insights.
  • ET Pro[21]A subscription that gives full access to all insights.
  • Human Risk OS[2][4][6][7]A platform that brings learning data, simulation results, threat reporting, and risk scoring into one view of human risk.
Categories
Headquarters
Sunnyvale, United States[1]Not stated on its pages
Founded
2002[1]2018[1][9]
Ownership and funding
Owned by Thoma Bravo since 2021[3][12][14][15]Not stated on its pages
Named customers
  • Xcel Energy[4]
  • Princeton University[5]
  • Columbia University[6]
  • Informatica[7]
  • California Department of Motor Vehicles[8]
Not stated on its pages
Recent news
  • October 15, 2026Proofpoint and Varonis announced a definitive agreement under which Proofpoint will acquire Varonis in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.3 billion.[16]
  • September 22, 2026Proofpoint announced the Agentic Collaboration Security system, combining an intent-based detection model with agentic capabilities for email, collaboration tools and the browser.[17]
  • September 22, 2026Proofpoint announced the Proofpoint Agentic Data and AI Security system, built to secure AI and data as one connected risk.[18]
  • September 3, 2026Proofpoint introduced the SOC Analyst Agent, an AI capability that helps security teams investigate threats across Proofpoint security data, built with OpenAI models.[9]
  • August 4, 2026Proofpoint launched an OEM program that lets technology providers, security vendors and managed service providers embed its threat intelligence and detection capabilities.[10]
Not stated on its pages
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[14]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 4, 2026[5]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Proofpoint addresses cyberattacks on organisations where people and AI agents work side by side across email, cloud and collaboration tools. The customers Proofpoint quotes include an organisation using Proofpoint for AI security for employees using AI services and tools, and for AI security in the tools and agents it is building. A quoted Proofpoint customer runs email security, DLP and insider threat management that work together, with its analyst using a single security console.From its own pages, SoSafe sells mainly to organisations that want to manage human risk through training and simulations. SoSafe names banks, insurers and financial firms as a group it addresses, with content for payments, IT and the management body. Its pages also list manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, logistics and transportation, finance, IT services, pharma and public administration as industries. SoSafe describes its packages as fitting organisations establishing a security programme as well as those ready to manage human risk with greater precision.
Last verified
October 10, 2026November 9, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Proofpoint and SoSafe are both filed under Human risk management.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Proofpoint's primary category is Email security; SoSafe's is Security awareness training.
  • Proofpoint is also filed under Collaboration app security and Insider risk management.
  • Proofpoint lists ITM / Endpoint DLP, Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services, ET Intel and ET Pro. SoSafe lists Human Risk OS.
  • Proofpoint is headquartered in Sunnyvale, United States.
  • Proofpoint was founded in 2002. SoSafe was founded in 2018.
  • Proofpoint is owned by Thoma Bravo, since 2021.
  • Proofpoint publicly names Xcel Energy, Princeton University, Columbia University, Informatica and California Department of Motor Vehicles.

What it sells: Proofpoint

What Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services does[21]
Threat Insights are provided by the Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services team. Premium Threat Intelligence Services analysts curate threat news highlights.
What ET Intel does[21]
Subscribing to ET Intel or ET Pro gives full access to all insights. Threat Insights are provided by the Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services team.
What ET Pro does[21]
Subscribing to ET Intel or ET Pro gives full access to all insights. Threat Insights are provided by the Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services team.

What it sells: SoSafe

What Human Risk OS does[2][4][6][7]
Human Risk OS shows who is most vulnerable, which attack vectors are active, and how behaviour is shifting. It feeds the Human Security Index. Signals from Microsoft Defender and CrowdStrike are pulled into it.

Questions about Proofpoint and SoSafe

What do Proofpoint and SoSafe sell?
Proofpoint sells ITM / Endpoint DLP, Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services, ET Intel and ET Pro. SoSafe sells Human Risk OS.
Are Proofpoint and SoSafe in the same category?
They share Human risk management. Proofpoint's primary category is Email security and SoSafe's is Security awareness training.
Where are Proofpoint and SoSafe headquartered?
Proofpoint is headquartered in Sunnyvale, United States.
When were Proofpoint and SoSafe founded?
Proofpoint was founded in 2002. SoSafe was founded in 2018.
Who owns Proofpoint and SoSafe?
Proofpoint is owned by Thoma Bravo, since 2021.
Which customers do Proofpoint and SoSafe name?
Proofpoint publicly names Xcel Energy, Princeton University, Columbia University, Informatica and California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Who are Proofpoint and SoSafe sold to?
From its own pages, Proofpoint addresses cyberattacks on organisations where people and AI agents work side by side across email, cloud and collaboration tools. From its own pages, SoSafe sells mainly to organisations that want to manage human risk through training and simulations.
What have Proofpoint and SoSafe announced recently?
October 15, 2026: Proofpoint and Varonis announced a definitive agreement under which Proofpoint will acquire Varonis in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.3 billion.

About Proofpoint

Proofpoint sells security that covers data and AI as one system, with access that follows intent. Proofpoint describes the problem it addresses as cyberattacks evolving as people and AI agents work side by side across email, cloud and collaboration tools. Proofpoint describes its approach as understanding intent in order to protect every interaction. Proofpoint has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Varonis.[2]

Proofpoint uses intent-based detection models and autonomous agents to stop AI-scaled threats across the attack chain.

Proofpoint covers visibility into sensitive data and every person, AI app and agent using it, including shadow AI. Proofpoint covers stopping data loss and misuse in real time across employee prompts, files and agent actions. Proofpoint covers control over who and what can reach data, with a full audit trail.

A Proofpoint customer describes using Proofpoint in two areas: AI security for employees using AI services and tools, and AI security in the tools and agents that customer is building. A Proofpoint customer describes Proofpoint email security, DLP and insider threat management working together, with its analyst using a single security console for all possible issues.[2]

ITM / Endpoint DLP features are supported on Windows, Mac and Linux, depending on the feature. ObserveIT is a division of Proofpoint. ObserveIT installation includes granting the ObserveIT Service Account user the dbcreator role on the SQL server. The service account permission is required only during the installation phase and may be removed once installation is complete. Removing that permission prevents ObserveIT from creating additional archive databases with the service account.[19][20]

Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services provides Threat Insights. Premium Threat Intelligence Services analysts curate threat news highlights. Proofpoint offers ET Intel and ET Pro subscriptions that give full access to all insights.[21]

Proofpoint research examines how 1,600 CISOs across 16 global markets are navigating AI risk, human behavior, data security and rising business expectations. Proofpoint publishes guidance for reducing AI agent risk while supporting innovation.[2][13]

Proofpoint on the record

Sources

Proofpoint full record

  1. [1]AboutProofpoint · proofpoint.com · published April 21, 2025 · Tier A
  2. [2]ProductsProofpoint · proofpoint.com · published September 24, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Thoma bravo completes acquisition of proofpointThoma Bravo · thomabravo.com · published August 31, 2021 · Tier A
  4. [4]Xcel energyProofpoint · proofpoint.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Princeton university safe with proofpoint email securityProofpoint · proofpoint.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Columbia universityProofpoint · proofpoint.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]InformaticaProofpoint · proofpoint.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]California department motor vehiclesProofpoint · proofpoint.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Proofpoint soc analyst agent openai daybreakProofpoint · proofpoint.com · published September 3, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Proofpoint launches oem program help security providers embed trusted threatProofpoint · proofpoint.com · published August 4, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Proofpoint launches dedicated msp business unit and introduces 365 totalProofpoint · proofpoint.com · published May 13, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Enterprise Cybersecurity Solutions, Services & Training | Proofpoint USProofpoint · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Integrating ITM On-Prem (ObserveIT) with a Service Desk SystemProofpoint · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Proofpoint Core Email Protection Reviews & Product Details - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier C
  15. [15]Proofpoint Acquires Acuvity to Deliver AI Security and Governance Across the Agentic WorkspaceProofpoint · published February 12, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Proofpoint to Acquire Varonis in a $6.3 Billion TransactionProofpoint · published October 15, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Proofpoint Stops the Attacks Traditional Defenses Miss in the AI EraProofpoint · published September 22, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Proofpoint Breaks Down the Divide Between Data Security and AI Security with the Industry’s First Unified Agentic SystemProofpoint · published September 22, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]ITM / Endpoint DLP Windows / Mac / Linux SupportProofpoint · published November 9, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Assigning SQL Permissions to the Service Account UserProofpoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  21. [21]Proofpoint: Emerging Threats IntelligenceProofpoint · published November 9, 2026 · Tier A

SoSafe full record

  1. [1]CompanySoSafe · sosafe-awareness.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Proactive human risk managementSoSafe · sosafe-awareness.com · published November 12, 2024 · Tier A
  3. [3]Sosafe secures 73 million in series bSoSafe · sosafe-awareness.com · published January 18, 2022 · Tier A
  4. [4]Security awareness and human risk managementSoSafe · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]SoSafe Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & FeaturesG2 · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier C
  6. [6]Why SoSafe?SoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]SoSafe IntegrationsSoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]SoSafe pricing & plans - Choose your fitSoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]About SoSafeSoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Security & Trust | SoSafeSoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Financial Services Cyber Security That LastsSoSafe · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A

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