Carbon Black, Inc.

Carbon Black, Inc. was a prominent American cybersecurity company specializing in endpoint security software. Founded in 2002, it became a significant player in the market for endpoint detection and response (EDR) and next-generation antivirus (NGAV) solutions, serving a global customer base that included numerous Fortune 100 companies. The company was headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and operated as a publicly traded entity on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "CBLK" prior to its acquisition.

History

The company was founded in 2002 by Michael Viscuso and Todd Brennan, initially operating under the name **bit9**. Its early technology focused on application whitelisting, a method to prevent unauthorized software from executing on endpoint devices. In 2014, bit9 merged with **Carbon Black**, a company known for its behavioral analysis and recording capabilities, and subsequently adopted the Carbon Black, Inc. name. This merger combined whitelisting and threat intelligence to create a more comprehensive security platform. A significant milestone was reached in 2018 when the company conducted its initial public offering (IPO), raising approximately $152 million. The firm's trajectory as an independent entity concluded in October 2019 when it was acquired by VMware for $2.1 billion, with its products subsequently integrated into the broader VMware Carbon Black portfolio.

Products and services

Carbon Black, Inc.'s core offerings centered on cloud-native endpoint security platforms designed to prevent, detect, and respond to advanced cyber threats. Its flagship product, **CB Defense**, was a next-generation antivirus (NGAV) solution that utilized behavioral analytics and machine learning to identify malicious activity beyond traditional signature-based methods. The **CB Response** platform provided robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities, enabling security teams to investigate and remediate incidents. The company also offered **CB Predictive Security Cloud**, a consolidated platform that combined NGAV, EDR, and threat hunting tools. These services were leveraged by major organizations, including the United States Department of Defense and leading financial institutions, to protect against threats like ransomware and advanced persistent threats.

Acquisitions and partnerships

Throughout its history, Carbon Black, Inc. pursued strategic acquisitions to enhance its technology portfolio. In 2016, it acquired **Confer**, a startup specializing in threat prevention for Windows endpoints, which bolstered its NGAV capabilities. The following year, it purchased **Verdasys**, primarily for its data loss prevention (DLP) intellectual property. Beyond acquisitions, the company established key technology and go-to-market partnerships. It was a founding member of the **Cyber Threat Alliance**, collaborating with firms like Palo Alto Networks and Symantec to share threat intelligence. It also maintained integrations with major security information and event management (SIEM) platforms such as IBM QRadar and Splunk, and partnered with managed security service providers (MSSPs) to extend its market reach.

Corporate affairs

The company was led for much of its later independent history by CEO Patrick Morley. It maintained its global headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, with additional offices in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. As a public company, it was subject to oversight by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following its acquisition by VMware, the Carbon Black, Inc. entity was dissolved, and its operations were merged into VMware's Security Business Unit, with its technology becoming a cornerstone of VMware's intrinsic security strategy under the leadership of executives like Raghu Raghuram.

See also

* CrowdStrike * Cylance * Endpoint security * Palo Alto Networks * VMware

Category:Computer security companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Middlesex County, Massachusetts Category:Companies listed on NASDAQ