Core Security Technologies
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cybersecurity software |
| Founded | 1996 in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Mark Hatton (CEO from 2008) |
| Products | Identity and access management software, penetration testing tools, network traffic monitoring, threat identification, privileged access control, identity governance |
Number of employees | 180 (2012) |
| Parent | HelpSystems (now Fortra) |
Core Security by HelpSystems is a U.S.-based firm specializing in cybersecurity solutions, providing software for identity and access management as well as cyber threat prevention. Their offerings include tools for penetration testing, network traffic monitoring, threat identification, privileged access control, and identity governance. The company's research arm, CoreLabs, is dedicated to discovering new IT security weaknesses, issuing advisories, and working alongside vendors to mitigate vulnerabilities.
In February 2019, HelpSystems finalized the acquisition of Core Security’s product line from SecureAuth. HelpSystems operates globally as an enterprise software provider with a focus on automation and cybersecurity services.
History
Core Security was established in 1996 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A year later, in 1997, it launched its CoreLabs research team. The company performed its inaugural penetration test in the United States in 1998 and was honored as an "Endeavor Entrepreneur" that same year. By 2000, Core Security had opened its first U.S. office located in New York City. Two years later, in 2002, the company introduced the initial release of its premier penetration testing solution, Core Impact Pro.
In 2002, Morgan Stanley invested $1.5 million into Core Security and joined its board of directors. The headquarters in the U.S. were relocated to Boston in 2003. Mark Hatton assumed the role of CEO in 2008. By 2009, development efforts had expanded to include teams based in Boston and India. The beta version of their security testing product, Core Insight, was launched in 2010.
To strengthen risk management and compliance capabilities, Core Security partnered strategically with nCircle and NT Objectives in 2012. That year, the company earned a spot on the Inc. 500/5000 list while employing approximately 180 personnel primarily located in Buenos Aires.
In 2014, Core broadened its partner network into the Pacific Northwest region and released an updated edition of its Core Attack Intelligence Platform. The same year, it received the Information Security Magazine Readers' Choice Award for Excellence in Vulnerability Management.
December 2015 saw Core Security acquired by Courion, a firm specializing in identity and access management; Courion subsequently rebranded itself as Core Security in May 2016. In July of that year, Core completed the acquisition of Damballa for $9 million.
The company merged with SecureAuth in 2017. Subsequently, HelpSystems purchased the Core Security portfolio from SecureAuth in 2019. On March 4, 2020, Core Security by HelpSystems acquired Cobalt Strike.
In 2022, HelpSystems underwent a rebranding initiative to become Fortra, aligning more closely with its cybersecurity market focus.
Research and advisories
Core Labs, the research division within Core Security, concentrates on uncovering system vulnerabilities, simulating cyber attacks, auditing source code, and advancing cryptographic techniques. It regularly publishes advisories, technical documentation, and software tools accessible to the public. Researchers from Core Labs actively contribute to prominent IT security events such as Black Hat Briefings.