Cloud Provider Expands with France Acquisition, Hoping to Lead European Cybersecurity Market

German-based cloud security solutions provider Hornetsecurity recently announced plans to acquire Altospam, a French email cybersecurity company.

As the deal awaits approval from the French Ministry for the Economy, Hornetsecurity CEO Daniel Hofmann said it’s a key step in the company’s European expansion.

“As part of our pan-European approach, we ensure that customer data remains within the borders of their respective countries, safeguarding data sovereignty, security and privacy,” said Hofmann.

Coming on the heels of its 2024 acquisition of Vade Secure — another French email security provider — it’s clear Hornetsecurity is building its presence in the French market.

Hornetsecurity’s strategy is proof of what a growing number of businesses are looking for: local partners who can meet strict data rules and keep information close to home.

According to Akhil Mittal, senior security consulting manager at Black Duck, new threats are what’s forcing companies to adapt.

“High-profile breaches and stricter regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and emerging AI-related privacy laws are pushing companies to make data privacy a fundamental part of their operations,” said Mittal.

In fact, a 2023 report by the European Data Protection Supervisor found that 78% of European citizens are concerned about where their personal data is stored.

So being a European-based alternative to larger U.S. players may be more appealing than ever, said Jean-Christian Dumas, CEO at Altospam.

“We are excited to join Hornetsecurity Group, as this enables us to join an exceptional European cybersecurity champion in what is largely a US-centric cybersecurity world,” said Dumas.

It is no exaggeration: Many of the biggest, most influential cybersecurity firms (like Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, and Cisco) are headquartered in the U.S.

Not to mention that most of the cybersecurity funding (especially for startups) often stems from Silicon Valley and other U.S.-based investment agencies.

And yet, Europe already seems to be leagues ahead of the U.S. in terms of cybersecurity public policy.

Antonino Zambito, an IT specialist for IBM and Cisco, highlighted that the key difference between Europe and the U.S. lies in their approach to data.

“Europeans treat personal data like a fundamental human right. In contrast, US companies view data more as a commodity,” wrote Zambito.

He provided a perfect example: Apple, a U.S.-based company, was required to make its privacy policies more transparent in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

As Hornetsecurity carves out its place in a U.S.-dominated global market, don’t be surprised if more acquisitions follow in the coming year.