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Private company

Core Security Technologies

Logo: Malhotneha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

American computer and network security company

Fortra, formerly known as Core Security by HelpSystems, is an American computer and network security company that provides cyber threat prevention and identity access management software products and services, including penetration testing, network traffic analysis, threat detection, privileged access management, and identity governance The company’s research arm, CoreLabs, identifies new IT security vulnerabilities, publishes public vulnerability advisories, and works with vendors to assist in eliminating the exposures they find.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1996Founded1

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Fortra, formerly known as Core Security by HelpSystems, is an American computer and network security company that provides cyber threat prevention and identity access management software products and services, including penetration testing, network traffic analysis, threat detection, privileged access management, and identity governance The company’s research arm, CoreLabs, identifies new IT security vulnerabilities, publishes public vulnerability advisories, and works with vendors to assist in eliminating the exposures they find.2

The story

In 1996, Core Security was founded in Buenos Aires, Argentina. One year later, the CoreLabs Research group was established and published its first advisory.

Core conducted its first penetration test for a U.S. company in 1998. In the same year, Core Security was recognized as an "Endeavor Entrepreneur" by the Endeavor Foundation, which supports entrepreneurial projects in emerging markets.

In 2000, the company opened its first U.S. office in New York, NY. Two years later, Core released the first and second versions of their flagship penetration testing product, Core Impact Pro.

In 2002, Morgan Stanley became a shareholder in Core, investing USD 1.5 million and retaining a seat on the board. In 2003, the company's U.S. headquarters were relocated from New York to Boston, and in 2009, Core added development sites in Boston and India.

Mark Hatton was named CEO in March 2009 and served in that role until 2015.

Core announced the beta of its new security testing and measurement product, Core Insight, in 2010. Core Insight 3.0 was released in 2013.

In 2012, Core announced partnerships with nCircleand NT Objectives.

In 2014, Core Security added Intrinium to its Partner Program, expanding its reach to the Pacific Northwest. In the same year, Core Security announced the latest version of its Core Attack Intelligence Platform.

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In December 2015, Core Security was acquired by identity and access management (IAM) company Courion; in May 2016, Courion rebranded itself with the Core Security name.

In 2022, Helpsystems rebranded to Fortra.

From Wikipedia’s article on Core Security Technologies, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

According to its website, Core Security's research department, Core Labs, conducts research in system vulnerabilities, cyber attack planning and simulation, source code auditing and cryptography. Core Labs publishes security advisories, technical papers, project information and shared software tools for public use, with its researchers participating in IT security research conferences including the Black Hat Briefings.

From Wikipedia’s article on Core Security Technologies, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Acquisitions

In July 2016, Core Security Technologies acquired Damballa for $US 9 million.

In 2017, Core Security merged with SecureAuth and in 2019, HelpSystems acquired the Core Security solutions from SecureAuth. A year later, on March 4, 2020, Core Security by Helpsystems acquired Cobalt Strike.

From Wikipedia’s article on Core Security Technologies, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1996Founded Founded1

Sources

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