PGP Corporation

PGP Corporation was a United States cybersecurity software company centered on Pretty Good Privacy, commonly known as PGP, a public-key cryptography technology used to protect communications and stored data. The company was founded in June 2002 by Jon Callas and Phil Dunkelberger, with Dunkelberger becoming chief executive. It was established to acquire and develop the PGP software business and the rights associated with the PGP name after those assets had been held by Network Associates. PGP originated outside the company. Phil Zimmermann developed the original software in 1991, making it one of the earliest widely available implementations of public-key cryptography. It initially helped individuals communicate securely through bulletin-board systems and later became associated with encrypted email and other forms of protected digital communication. Over time, PGP was implemented or supported by a range of applications and became a recognizable name in information security. PGP Corporation acquired the relevant code and naming rights from Network Associates in August 2002. Its business initially reflected the broader PGP tradition of serving technically sophisticated individual users, but the company subsequently placed greater emphasis on enterprise security. Its portfolio addressed email encryption, file protection, and disk encryption, with products such as PGP Desktop and PGP Whole Disk Encryption identified with the brand. The company also released version 9 of its software in 2005. The company pursued integration with larger security ecosystems. In 2004, it announced plans to integrate PGP technology with Symantec antivirus technology. In February 2010, PGP Corporation acquired certificate authority TC TrustCenter and its parent company, ChosenSecurity. The transaction was intended to expand the company’s identity and trust capabilities and led to the creation of the PGP TrustCenter division. PGP Corporation ceased to be an independent company after Symantec announced on April 29, 2010, that it would acquire the business for approximately $300 million in cash. The transaction was completed in June 2010, placing PGP’s products and technology within Symantec’s enterprise security portfolio. In 2019, Broadcom acquired Symantec’s Enterprise Security software division, including the PGP business. PGP Corporation therefore survives primarily as an acquired technology and product lineage rather than as a separately operating corporate brand.

PGP Corporation was formed in June 2002 in Menlo Park, California, by Jon Callas and Phil Dunkelberger. Dunkelberger became the company's chief executive. The business was backed by investors associated with Doll Capital Management and Venrock Associates, including Rob Theis and Terry Garnett. Its purpose was to own, develop, and commercialize Pretty Good Privacy software and related intellectual property. The technology at the center of the company predated PGP Corporation by more than a decade. Phil Zimmermann originally created PGP in 1991. It was among the first freely and publicly available implementations of public-key cryptography and was initially used by individuals seeking secure communication through bulletin-board systems. As electronic mail became more important, PGP was adapted to and supported by a wider range of email and communications applications. The technology became associated with encryption based on public and private keys, allowing users to protect messages and authenticate correspondents. PGP Corporation acquired the PGP code and rights to the PGP name from Network Associates in August 2002. This transaction gave the newly established company control of a recognized security technology and a foundation for commercial product development. The company released version 9 of its software in 2005. Although PGP had a strong history among individual privacy advocates and technically knowledgeable users, PGP Corporation increasingly concentrated on corporate customers. Its enterprise-oriented products addressed email encryption, file encryption, and whole-disk protection, extending the brand from a specialist privacy tool into a broader data-security portfolio. The company also sought relationships with larger security platforms. In 2004, it announced plans to integrate its technology with Symantec antivirus products. This reflected a broader industry trend toward combining encryption with endpoint protection and other enterprise security controls. In February 2010, PGP Corporation expanded into digital trust services by acquiring TC TrustCenter and its parent company, ChosenSecurity. The acquired businesses became the basis of the PGP TrustCenter division, adding certificate authority and related trust capabilities to the company’s encryption portfolio. PGP Corporation's independent period ended in 2010. On April 29 of that year, Symantec announced that it would acquire the company for approximately $300 million in cash. The transaction closed in June, and PGP technology became part of Symantec's enterprise security business. The acquisition connected PGP’s encryption products with Symantec’s larger security distribution and product organization, while ending PGP Corporation as a standalone company. In August 2019, Broadcom announced that it would acquire Symantec’s Enterprise Security software division. The division included the PGP business, meaning that the technology and product lineage moved again, this time into Broadcom’s software portfolio. PGP Corporation is consequently best understood today as a historical corporate entity and a cybersecurity brand lineage whose encryption products were successively incorporated into larger security companies.

1. 2019PGP business moves to Broadcom

   Broadcom acquires Symantec's Enterprise Security software division, including the PGP business.

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2. 2010TC TrustCenter and ChosenSecurity are acquired

   The company acquires the certificate authority TC TrustCenter and its parent company, ChosenSecurity, and forms the PGP TrustCenter division.

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3. 2010Symantec acquires PGP Corporation

   Symantec announces the acquisition in April for approximately $300 million in cash; the transaction is completed in June.

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4. 2005PGP software version 9 is released

   PGP Corporation releases version 9 of its software as part of its continuing product development.

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5. 2004Integration with Symantec security technology is planned

   PGP Corporation announces plans to integrate its products with Symantec antivirus technology.

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6. 2002PGP Corporation is founded

   Jon Callas and Phil Dunkelberger co-found PGP Corporation in June in Menlo Park, California.

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7. 2002PGP code and naming rights are acquired

   The company acquires the PGP code and rights to the PGP name from Network Associates in August.

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8. 1991Original PGP software is developed

   Phil Zimmermann develops the original Pretty Good Privacy software, which later becomes the foundation of PGP Corporation's business.

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Enterprise and individual data-protection software focused on encryption, secure communications, and related digital-trust services.

• Pretty Good PrivacyEncryption software1991

  The central software technology associated with PGP Corporation. Pretty Good Privacy uses public-key cryptography to support secure communications and data protection. Originally developed in 1991 by Phil Zimmermann, it was later commercialized and developed by PGP Corporation for both individual and enterprise use, including protected email and other encrypted data workflows.

• PGP DesktopDesktop encryption software

  A branded desktop security offering associated with PGP Corporation. It represented the company's effort to package PGP encryption capabilities for users who needed to protect communications and files on personal or organizational computers.

• PGP Whole Disk EncryptionFull-disk encryption

  A PGP-branded product focused on encrypting the contents of an entire computer disk rather than only selected files or messages. It formed part of the company's shift toward enterprise data protection and endpoint security.

• PGP TrustCenterDigital trust and certificate services2010

  A division created after PGP Corporation acquired TC TrustCenter and ChosenSecurity in 2010. It extended the company's portfolio beyond encryption into certificate authority and digital-trust services.

• 2019Transfer of the PGP business to BroadcomM&A

  Broadcom pursued Symantec's Enterprise Security software division, which included the PGP business.

  What changed. Broadcom announced the acquisition of Symantec's Enterprise Security software division.

  Aftermath. PGP became part of the Broadcom-owned enterprise security software assets.

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• 2010Acquire TC TrustCenter and ChosenSecurityM&A

  PGP Corporation expanded its enterprise security scope into certificates and digital trust services.

  What changed. The company acquired certificate authority TC TrustCenter and its parent company, ChosenSecurity.

  Aftermath. The acquired businesses became the PGP TrustCenter division.

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• 2010Sell the company to SymantecM&A

  PGP Corporation had developed a recognizable encryption portfolio while enterprise security companies were consolidating complementary technologies.

  What changed. Symantec agreed to acquire PGP Corporation for approximately $300 million in cash; the transaction closed in June.

  Aftermath. PGP Corporation ceased operating as an independent company and its products became part of Symantec's enterprise security portfolio.

  Acquisition consideration. Approximately $300 million cash (Announced April 29, 2010; completed June 2010)

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• 2004Plan integration with Symantec antivirus technologyStrategy

  PGP Corporation sought to connect encryption capabilities with broader endpoint and antivirus security tools.

  What changed. The company announced plans to integrate with Symantec antivirus technology.

  Aftermath. The announcement preceded Symantec's acquisition of PGP Corporation in 2010.

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• 2002Acquire the PGP software business and brand rightsStrategy

  The newly established company needed control of the PGP technology and brand in order to commercialize and develop the software.

  What changed. PGP Corporation acquired the relevant code and rights to the PGP name from Network Associates.

  Aftermath. The transaction established the company's product and intellectual-property base.

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• 2019Broadcom acquires Symantec's Enterprise Security software division

  Broadcom announced its acquisition of Symantec's Enterprise Security software division, which included the PGP business.

  M&A
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• 2010PGP Corporation acquires TC TrustCenter and ChosenSecurity

  PGP Corporation acquired certificate authority TC TrustCenter and its parent company, ChosenSecurity, creating the PGP TrustCenter division.

  M&A
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• 2010Symantec announces acquisition of PGP Corporation

  Symantec announced an agreement to acquire PGP Corporation for approximately $300 million in cash.

  M&A
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• 2010Symantec completes PGP Corporation acquisition

  The acquisition of PGP Corporation by Symantec was completed in June 2010, ending PGP Corporation's independent corporate operation.

  M&A
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1. PGP Corporation