10 Best-Selling Network Security Brands In Q1 2017

The Best In Network Security

The network security market continued to grow in Q1, with 101,515 units sold in the quarter, according to NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm. That's a jump of 4.6 percent over the same quarter last year. NPD primarily tracks U.S.-based members of the Global Technology Distribution Council, an industry group of technology distributors.

The lineup of top brands for the quarter included many network security industry stalwarts, but saw a shift for some of the largest brands in the space as many big names dropped market share and traded ranking spots. Keep reading for the latest data on what network security companies were the best-selling brands to kick off the year.

10. Barracuda Networks

Barracuda Networks landed in the No. 10 spot for network security brands in Q1, selling 713 units in the quarter. But that represents a significant, 50 percent year-over-year drop for the company. The company accounted for 1 percent of network security market share in the quarter. Barracuda has been expanding its network security portfolio with investments around data security and cloud security, as well as backup and disaster recovery.

9. Netgear

Netgear saw a drop in the amount of units sold quarter over quarter in Q1 2017, but managed to hold onto the No. 9 spot overall. The company sold 1,331 network security units in the quarter, down 38.8 percent year over year. That drop also led to a market share percentage drop, from 2 percent in Q1 last year to 1 percent.

8. Sophos

Sophos continues to see traction for its security platform, which includes network security as well as endpoint, email, and other security technologies. Sophos saw a 32.6 percent year-over-year jump in the number of units sold in the first quarter, selling 1,621 in Q1 2017. That amounted to 2 percent of units sold in the quarter overall. Sophos has continued to add to its synchronized security strategy in recent months by integrating more products, including encryption, and executing acquisitions, including that of machine learning technology company Invincea for $100 million.

7. Check Point Software Technologies

Check Point Software Technologies saw a double-digit jump in the number of units sold in Q1 2017 over the same period last year, a jump that landed it at No. 7 on the top network security brands of the quarter. Check Point sold 1,802 units in the quarter, up 47.7 percent year over year. That number represents 2 percent of all units sold in the quarter. Check Point has moved to adopt a platform security strategy with its portfolio, announcing the launch of Check Point Infinity architecture in April to bring its products together under a single platform.

6. Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks saw a 20.8 percent year-over-year increase in the number of network security units sold: 3,112 in Q1 2017. That represents a 3 percent market share of network security units sold, according to NPD. Juniper channel chief Matt Hurley said the company is "completely committed" to security, particularly its software-defined secure networks (SDSN) platform. Juniper has been undergoing a company reorganization in recent months as it faces steep market pressure, with security as one of the key pillars it's looking to focus on.

5. Palo Alto Networks

Despite a slight drop in the number of units sold year over year, Palo Alto Networks landed at the No. 5 spot for most network security units sold. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company sold 6,150 units in Q1, down 9.4 percent year over year. The company held a 6 percent unit market share for the quarter, down from 5 percent in Q1 of last year. While the company has been launching new security appliances, including six last quarter, it has been investing big in expanding and updating its subscription services, including a major PAN-OS update in February and its February acquisition of behavioral attack detection company LightCyber.

4. Watchguard Technologies

WatchGuard Technologies also saw a drop in units sold year over year, down 12.6 percent to 7,387 in Q1 2017. It also saw a drop in market share percentage, from 9 percent to 7 percent. The Seattle-based company has continued to add to its portfolio in recent months, including the launch of a new Threat Detection and Response subscription solution in January and a new cloud-based secure Wi-Fi offering late last year.

3. Fortinet

Fortinet landed at the No. 3 spot on Q1's list of best-selling network security brands. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company sold 10,075 units in the quarter, down 22.5 percent over the same period last year. Fortinet also saw a drop in market share for units sold, from 13 percent to 10 percent. Fortinet said it has been seeing increased traction for its Security Fabric platform and messaging strategy, under which it brings together its broad set of security solutions, including its firewall appliances.

2. SonicWall

SonicWall saw a big jump in the number of appliances sold in Q1, rising 55.8 percent year over year to 24,565 units. The San Jose, Calif.-based company also leaped in market share percentage, from 16 percent to 24 percent. SonicWall split from Dell late last year, and has since seen a strong reception from partners for its standalone security strategy, new technology and 100 percent focus on the channel.

1. Cisco Systems

Cisco continued to hold the No. 1 spot for network security appliances sold, with 38,064 units in Q1 2017, although that represents a 5 percent drop year over year. The networking giant maintained a strong market share lead, with 37 percent of share for units sold in the quarter, down from 41 percent in Q1 last year. Cisco continues to push its security strategy, including rolling out several new products. That focus has paid off, with the company reporting a 9 percent growth in its security sales in its third fiscal quarter, to $527 million. The business is now on a $2.2 billion annual run rate, the company said.