Proofpoint is acquiring data security specialist Varonis in an all-cash deal valued at about US$6.3 billion.

The combined company will serve more than 16,000 enterprises and millions of organisations worldwide, making it one of the world’s leading pure-play cybersecurity companies and the industry’s largest data and AI security provider.

It will offer a unified platform that will help enterprises adopt AI with confidence by finding and protecting sensitive data, controlling access for people and AI, and preventing data loss.

After the deal closes, Proofpoint plans to integrate the companies’ capabilities quickly. It also intends to align go-to-market efforts and speed up delivery of the combined platform to customers.

“AI agents are increasingly accessing sensitive information and taking action across systems, making it critical for organisations to understand not only what data needs protecting and who can access it, but how it is actually being used,” said Sumit Dhawan, Chief Executive of Proofpoint.

Bringing together communications, identity, permissions, data, and AI security would give customers a broader view of risk.

“By connecting communications, identities, permissions, data, and AI, we are creating an intelligence advantage that helps customers see risk more clearly, respond faster, and defend against the next generation of AI risks,” said Dhawan, who added that this is a defining step in Proofpoint’s evolution into a cybersecurity platform built for the future of AI.

According to Varonis Chief Executive, Co-founder and Chairman Yaki Faitelson, the deal accelerates the company’s mission of securing the data that powers AI.

“Today begins an exciting new chapter for Varonis and our customers. It’s a testament to the incredible work of the Varonis team over two decades,” Faitelson said. “By joining forces with Proofpoint, we can achieve this mission faster than ever.”