The 20 Coolest Network Security Companies Of 2021: The Security 100

Part one of CRN’s 2021 Security 100 list looks at network security vendors that offer log filtering, encrypted traffic visibility and analysis, containerized firewalls, and SD-WAN for challenging operational settings.

Network Noise

The increased global demand for smartphones and rising internet penetration in remote areas has boosted demand for network security software, while the implementation of bring-your-own-device policies has created the need for secure data transmission. Industries such as health care and retail are implementing advanced technologies, which will likely create challenges that boost network security adoption.

As the integration of technologies with 5G is increasing, more data will be shared via the network, creating more data security threats for service providers as well as users. And the presence of multiple hosting environments where all devices are connected to the server has increased security risk, with hackers constantly attacking networks to destroy databases and access confidential information.

The network security market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 11.6 percent, going from $22.74 billion in 2019 to $54.07 billion by 2027, according to Fortune Business Insights. The adoption of network security is highest in the U.S., with industries such as financial services, health care and retail implementing and updating the software to maximize data privacy and protection.

As part of CRN’s annual Security 100 list, here’s a look at 20 network security vendors offering everything from log filtering and encrypted traffic visibility and analysis to containerized firewalls and SD-WAN for challenging operational settings.

ADT Cybersecurity

Jim DeVries

President, CEO

ADT Cybersecurity established a foothold in managed detection and response following its acquisitions of Datashield and Secure Designs, enabling the company to better service both enterprise and SMB clients. The company in November debuted its inaugural partner program to reward partners that grow with ADT Cybersecurity by providing them with more resources and an elevated commitment level.

Armis

Yevgeny Dibrov

Co-Founder, CEO

Armis in June debuted a new global partner program to help create long-term profitable growth through benefits like joint marketing and a program meant to help solution providers build services on top of Armis’ software. A month later, the company partnered with SIEM vendor Exabeam to help customers identify unmanaged and IoT devices and monitor their behavior for malicious activity from a single platform.

Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company

Keerti Melkote

Founder, President

The Aruba Edge Service Platform generates contextual data that makes networks situationally aware and ensures no user or IoT device is given entry or ongoing access unless trustworthy. The company in May allowed ClearPass Policy Manager to control access to critical network resources based on endpoint security intelligence provided by Microsoft, reducing the risk from compromised network connections.

Attivo Networks

Tushar Kothari

CEO

Attivo in June debuted new Endpoint Detection Net capabilities that improve file protection against human-operated ransomware by concealing and denying access to production-mapped shares, cloud storage and selected files. Four months later, the company boosted ThreatPath to allow customers to identify and automatically remediate high-risk exposures based on identities with excess privileges.

Cato Networks

Shlomo Kramer

Co-Founder, CEO

Cato Networks in November launched a reputation assessment system that combines threat intelligence and real-time network information to eliminate the false positive alerts that have long crippled intrusion prevention systems. That same month, the company closed a $131 million Series E funding round on a $1 billion valuation to help get Cato’s leading SASE platform in front of more customers and partners.

Check Point Software Technologies

Gil Shwed

Founder, CEO

Check Point Infinity SOC was launched in July to unify threat prevention, detection, investigation and remediation in a single platform and give customers security and operational efficiency via log filtering. The company’s September acquisition of Odo Security has made working from home safer by enabling customers to securely connect any number of remote employees to everything from any location.

Cisco Systems

Chuck Robbins

Chairman, CEO

Cisco SecureX was unveiled in February to provide more visibility across the entire security portfolio, delivering security analytics and automating workflows to detect unknown threats and speed threat response. Then in June, Cisco Cloud Mailbox Defense for Office 365 was launched to add another layer of security around blocking URLs and threat files for organizations with smaller security and IT staffs.

Claroty

Yaniv Vardi

CEO

Claroty in April strengthened security for remote access of plants owned by manufacturers, oil and gas firms and utilities through tighter integration with the company’s network monitoring, threat detection and vulnerability management functions. The company hired industrial space veteran Yaniv Vardi as CEO in July to boost Claroty’s presence in emerging verticals like transportation and food and beverage.

Cloudflare

Matthew Prince

Co-Founder, CEO

Cloudflare rolled out an identity and access management tool that secures, monitors and authenticates user access, and an offering that filters outbound internet traffic to protect workers from web threats. The debut of Cloudflare One means that companies can protect their workforce in a flexible and scalable way without compromising security as distributed teams work from multiple devices and personal networks.

Darktrace

Poppy Gustafsson

CEO

Darktrace in July extended its Enterprise Immune System platform to endpoints, video and chat apps, SaaS applications, and identity and access management integrations to protect remote workers. Then in September, the company boosted its protection against insider threats, data leaks and advanced cyber-attacks outside the office with lightweight client sensors and one-click integrations to get a holistic view.

Forescout

Greg Clark

Co-Chairman, CEO

Forescout updated its platform in August with new segmentation capabilities that enable Zero Trust security across the enterprise as well as OT and industrial control system features that streamline threat analysis, compliance automation and risk mitigation. Former Symantec CEO Greg Clark took over as Forescout’s top executive Oct. 1 just weeks after the company’s $1.4 billion sale to private equity firm Advent International closed.

Fortinet

Ken Xie

Founder, Chairman, CEO

Fortinet in December bought Panopta to gain visibility into and automate management of components like servers, containers, applications, databases, virtual appliances and cloud infrastructure. The company also brought SD-WAN to challenging operational settings or remote locations that aren’t controlled, accounting for factors such as ranging temperatures and vibrations that can wreak havoc on IT gear.

Gigamon

Paul Hooper

CEO

Gigamon in May updated its ThreatInsight network detection and response offering to provide visibility into encrypted traffic, automate threat and at-risk asset prioritization, and optimize threat hunting and investigation workflows. The company’s GigaVue tool collects, aggregates, processes and filters traffic before forwarding to the proper security and analytics tools, enabling secure network optimization.

Infoblox

Jesper Andersen

President, CEO

The acquisition of cloud-native network operating system provider SnapRoute has allowed Infoblox to accelerate the development and delivery of additional network services on its platform. The company’s BloxOne platform unites network and security services in a fully cloud-native and cloud-delivered offering that’s able to detect and anticipate threats sooner, stop them faster and adapt to changes.

Juniper Networks

Rami Rahim

CEO

Juniper in February rolled out encrypted traffic analysis for the Advanced Threat Prevention Cloud and SRX Series firewalls, and integrated SecIntel into the Mist platform for wireless access. The company in October debuted adaptive threat profiling for Juniper Advanced Threat Prevention Cloud, an integration with device profiling provider WootCloud, and a brand-new VPN application geared toward remote use cases.

Palo Alto Networks

Nikesh Arora

Chairman, CEO

Palo Alto Networks debuted in June a containerized version of the company’s firewall to help network security teams ensure they’re compliant in container environments and speed up the integration and provisioning process. Five months later, the company rolled out a service that helps prevent data breaches, facilitates regulatory compliance and inhibits risky user behavior to protect sensitive data.

Pulse Secure

Jim Schaper

CEO, Ivanti

Pulse Secure in July launched a cloud-based, multitenant secure access service that enables companies to provide users with easy access to multi-cloud and data center applications with Zero Trust assurance. The company in September was acquired alongside MobileIron by Ivanti to expand the IT asset and service management software developer’s technology lineup into endpoint device automation and security.

SonicWall

Bill Conner

President, CEO

SonicWall unveiled SD-Branch capabilities in June to deliver single-pane-of-glass management and simplify the needs associated with distributed locations, campuses and branch offices. And Cloud Edge Secure Access’ November debut means that SonicWall customers can now control and protect network access to both managed and unmanaged devices based on identity, location and device parameters.

Vectra

Hitesh Sheth

President, CEO

Vectra in July rolled out new advisory and operational cybersecurity services that enable enterprises to increase security operations efficiency and significantly reduce the risk of data breaches. Five months later, the company debuted more cloud capabilities to detect and stop threats across the full network, tying together attacker activities and progression between cloud, hybrid and on-premises networks.

WatchGuard Technologies

Prakash Panjwani

CEO

WatchGuard acquired Panda Security in June to facilitate centralized management of threat detection and response fueled by AI, behavior profiling techniques and security event correlation. Combining WatchGuard’s network intelligence and telemetry data with the endpoint intelligence and telemetry data of Panda Security will allow customers to better correlate and analyze disparate events and take action.