CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Proofpoint vs Trend Micro

Proofpoint sells security that covers data and AI as one system, with access that follows intent. Trend Micro is a cybersecurity company whose TrendAI business sells enterprise security, including TrendAI Vision One. CISO Tribune files both under Email security. 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
  • Trend Micro
Proofpoint vs Trend Micro: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
ProofpointProofpoint sells security that covers data and AI as one system, with access that follows intent.proofpoint.comTrend MicroTrend Micro is a cybersecurity company whose TrendAI business sells enterprise security, including TrendAI Vision One.trendmicro.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.
  • TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector[19]Version 7.0 includes an active scanner for device discovery as a Vision One network sensor.
  • Phish Insight[20]Service that involves phishing simulation emails sent to employees.
Categories
Headquarters
Sunnyvale, United States[1]Tokyo, Japan[3][25]
Founded
2002[1]1988[3]
Ownership and funding
Owned by Thoma Bravo since 2021[3][12][14][15]Public (TSE: 4704)[2][7][10][14]
Named customers
  • Xcel Energy[4]
  • Princeton University[5]
  • Columbia University[6]
  • Informatica[7]
  • California Department of Motor Vehicles[8]
  • Amazon MGM Studios[4]
  • Decathlon[5]
  • Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board[6]
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]
  • October 19, 2026Trend Micro announced up to 10 billion yen toward a cyber resilience initiative aimed at strengthening security for Japanese organizations.[12]
  • September 29, 2026TrendAI opened a private preview of Autonomous Vulnerability Discovery, a service that finds, validates and checks fixes for flaws in customer source code.[7]
  • August 20, 2026TrendAI, an enterprise business unit of Trend Micro, announced it has passed $1 billion in global AWS Marketplace sales.[28]
  • August 19, 2026TrendLife, the consumer business unit of Trend Micro, announced the availability of TrendLife Kaleida, an AI solution designed for families.[27]
  • August 13, 2026Trend Micro reported second-quarter 2026 results for the period ended June 30, with annual recurring revenue above 1.7 billion US dollars, up 5%.[8]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[14]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[14]
  • 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, Trend Micro sells mainly to enterprise organizations, and says it serves them across many countries. TrendAI is the enterprise security business of Trend Micro. Trend Micro describes the businesses in its portfolio as each serving distinct customers, markets, and needs. Apex One is available on-premises and as a service, so both deployment models appear. Phish Insight is used by customers' IT administrators, who upload the recipients of the service. Trend Micro also offers security for devices, identity, and privacy at home and on mobile.
Last verified
October 10, 2026October 10, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Proofpoint and Trend Micro are both filed under Email security.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Proofpoint's primary category is Email security; Trend Micro's is EDR and XDR.
  • Proofpoint is also filed under Collaboration app security, Human risk management and Insider risk management. Trend Micro is also filed under Cloud-native application protection (CNAPP).
  • Proofpoint lists ITM / Endpoint DLP, Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services, ET Intel and ET Pro. Trend Micro lists TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector and Phish Insight.
  • Proofpoint is headquartered in Sunnyvale, United States. Trend Micro is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Proofpoint was founded in 2002. Trend Micro was founded in 1988.
  • Proofpoint is owned by Thoma Bravo, since 2021. Trend Micro is a public company listed on TSE as 4704.
  • Proofpoint publicly names Xcel Energy, Princeton University, Columbia University, Informatica and California Department of Motor Vehicles. Trend Micro publicly names Amazon MGM Studios, Decathlon and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

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: Trend Micro

What TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector does[19]
TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) 7.0, build 7.0.1066, has been released. DDI 7.0 includes an active scanner for device discovery as a Vision One network sensor. DDI 7.0 supports upgrading from DDI version 6.7 or 6.8.
What Phish Insight does[20]
Phish Insight collects and transmits data to Trend Micro as part of using the service. IT administrators sign up and receive a verification email.

Questions about Proofpoint and Trend Micro

What do Proofpoint and Trend Micro sell?
Proofpoint sells ITM / Endpoint DLP, Proofpoint Threat Intelligence Services, ET Intel and ET Pro. Trend Micro sells TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector and Phish Insight.
Are Proofpoint and Trend Micro in the same category?
They share Email security. Proofpoint's primary category is Email security and Trend Micro's is EDR and XDR.
Where are Proofpoint and Trend Micro headquartered?
Proofpoint is headquartered in Sunnyvale, United States. Trend Micro is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
When were Proofpoint and Trend Micro founded?
Proofpoint was founded in 2002. Trend Micro was founded in 1988.
Who owns Proofpoint and Trend Micro?
Proofpoint is owned by Thoma Bravo, since 2021. Trend Micro is a public company listed on TSE as 4704.
Which customers do Proofpoint and Trend Micro name?
Proofpoint publicly names Xcel Energy, Princeton University, Columbia University, Informatica and California Department of Motor Vehicles. Trend Micro publicly names Amazon MGM Studios, Decathlon and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
Who are Proofpoint and Trend Micro 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, Trend Micro sells mainly to enterprise organizations, and says it serves them across many countries.
What have Proofpoint and Trend Micro 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. October 19, 2026: Trend Micro announced up to 10 billion yen toward a cyber resilience initiative aimed at strengthening security for Japanese organizations.

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

Trend Micro full record

  1. [1]PlatformTrend Micro (TrendAI) · trendaisecurity.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Trend Micro's Enterprise Business is now TrendAI™Trend Micro Incorporated · published March 23, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]sec.govTrend Micro, Inc. via SEC EDGAR · sec.gov · published October 31, 2006 · Tier A
  4. [4]Amazon mgm studiosTrend Micro · trendmicro.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]DecathlonTrend Micro · trendmicro.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]DpcdsbTrend Micro · trendmicro.com · undated page, accessed October 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]2026 09 29 Introducing TrendAI TM Autonomous Vulnerability Discovery Next Generation Threat Remediation at Machine SpeedTrend Micro · newsroom.trendmicro.com · published September 29, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]2026 08 13 Trend Micro Reports Earnings Results for Q2 2026Trend Micro · newsroom.trendmicro.com · published August 13, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]2026 05 14 Trend Micro Reports Earnings Results for Q1 2026Trend Micro · newsroom.trendmicro.com · published May 14, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Trend Micro (US) | Global Enterprise AI Cybersecurity PlatformTrend Micro · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Smart Protections Server Disconnected from Smart Scan/Web ReputationTrend Micro · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Trend Micro Announces Up to ¥10 Billion toward Cyber Resilience Initiative to Strengthen Security for Japanese Organizations in the AI EraTrend Micro · published October 19, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]TrendAI™ Launches Inception Program to Power the Next Wave of Secure AI InnovationTrend Micro · published May 31, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Trend Micro Antivirus + Security Reviews & Product DetailsG2 · undated page, accessed October 29, 2026 · Tier C
  15. [15]Upgrade to Foundation-based Endpoint Inventory: Key ConsiderationsTrend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]SECURITY ALERT: WordPress Core unauthenticated RCE (CVE-2026-119977)Trend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]TrendAI Vision One™ Agent OS Compatibility Matrix & SupportTrend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Uninstall client or agent - Trend Micro Apex OneTrend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]TrendAI Deep Discovery Inspector DDI 7.0 Released – What's NewTrend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Data Collection Disclosure - Phish InsightTrend Micro · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  21. [21]Resolving multiple vulnerabilities - Control ManagerTrend Micro · published June 19, 2018 · Tier A
  22. [22]Multiple Vulnerabilities - InterScan Web Security Virtual Appliance 6.5Trend Micro · published March 28, 2017 · Tier A
  23. [23]Multiple vulnerabilities on Trend Micro Smart Protection ServerTrend Micro · published August 8, 2016 · Tier A
  24. [24]Trend Micro Launches End-to-End Protection for Agentic AI Systems with NVIDIATrend Micro · published November 5, 2025 · Tier A
  25. [25]TrendAI™ appoints Auckland-based Richard Harrison as Global VP of AI SecurityTrend Micro · published July 23, 2026 · Tier A
  26. [26]Trend Micro Reports Earnings Results for Q4 2025 and FY 2025Trend Micro · published February 18, 2026 · Tier A
  27. [27]TrendLife Announces Kaleida: The World's First Safe AI Built for Every Member of the FamilyTrend Micro · published August 19, 2026 · Tier A
  28. [28]TrendAI™ Surpasses $1 Billion in AWS Marketplace Sales as AI Security Co-Innovation with AWS AcceleratesTrend Micro · published August 20, 2026 · Tier A

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