Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Nexgate, Enters Social Media Security and Compliance Market

Proofpoint Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Nexgate, Enters Social Media Security and Compliance Market

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/proofpoint-signs-definitive-agreement-acquire-nexgate-enters-social-media-security-and-compliance

India Presence & Operations

Proofpoint India Office

Proofpoint maintains a dedicated office in Bengaluru at 91 Springboard Business Hub, MG Road, Bangalore

Channel Partnerships

As far back as 2009, Proofpoint partnered with MTech India for regional distribution and technical support. More recently, in 2020, it formed a partnership with Exclusive Networks Sales India Pvt Ltd to offer its cybersecurity and social media monitoring services across India 

Social Media Monitoring & Risk Management Platforms

✅ Proofpoint (formerly Nexgate)

Use: Monitors employee social media accounts for compliance, policy violations, and reputational risks.

Features: Can detect offensive language, confidential data leaks, or behavior that violates company policies.

Internal Compliance & HR Monitoring Tools

✅ Teramind

Use: Full employee activity monitoring including web and social media usage, screens, and behavior analytics.

Features: Insider threat detection, productivity tracking, compliance enforcement.

✅ Aware (for Slack, Teams)

Use: AI-based platform for monitoring internal communication tools and some social media.

Features: Flagging offensive or non-compliant messages, sentiment analysis, compliance reporting.

⚖️ Important Considerations

Privacy Laws: Monitoring personal social media can be legally and ethically sensitive—employers must comply with local laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

Consent: In most cases, employee consent and clearly defined social media policies are required.

Scope: Most tools monitor public posts only unless integrated into internal systems like Slack, Teams, or enterprise social platforms.

https://authbridge.com/blog/top-7-social-media-screening-bgv/

Hiring the right candidate is one of the most crucial decisions a company can make. A wrong hire not only affects productivity but can also harm your company’s reputation and team morale. Traditional background verification and hiring methods, such as interviews and CV checks, are no longer sufficient in providing a full picture of a candidate. With nearly 82% of employers using social media to hire passive candidates, it becomes important for employers to dig deeper into a candidate’s personality, professional conduct, and potential red flags on social media.

Failing to conduct a social media screening, or sometimes known as a social media background check, could be costly. Candidates are increasingly shaping their brand online, and this brand is often a reflection of their behaviour, values, and integrity. Hiring decisions based on incomplete information could expose your company to unwanted risks, such as misconduct, cultural misfit, or potential legal liabilities. According to a report, 88% of U.S. hiring managers said that they would think of firing employees for content found in their workers’ social media posts.

Benefits Of Social Media Screening:

Improved Hiring Accuracy: Provides a deeper understanding of candidates’ behavior and values.

Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential reputational or legal risks early on.

Cultural Fit: Ensures alignment with company values and workplace standards.

Brand Protection: Safeguards the company’s image from individuals with controversial online behavior.

Enhanced Decision Making: Offers an additional layer of insight for more informed recruitment and retention strategies.

Ferretly

Ferretly specialises in AI-powered social media screening, focusing on uncovering risk signals in candidates’ online behaviour. Their platform scans public digital footprints to detect potential issues such as bias, aggression, or misalignment with company values. Ferretly’s services are designed to enhance workplace culture and reduce turnover.

https://www.ferretly.com/?r=0

Credit: Phyllo

https://www.getphyllo.com/post/20-red-flag-examples-in-social-media-screening

Here are best practices to avoid bias:

• Focus on job relevance: Only consider red flags that impact the candidate’s ability to perform the role or align with company values.
• Cross-verify: Check multiple platforms and sources, including references.
• Consider cultural context: Language or behavior might vary by region or culture.
• Avoid assumptions: Reach out to candidates for clarification if needed.
• Use automation carefully: Tools like Phyllo help ensure consistent and fair evaluation by filtering for job-relevant signals only.
• Ethical Considerations in Social Media Screening for Red Flags

• Ethics must be front and center:

  • Always respect candidate privacy.
  • Use publicly available information only, or ensure consent.
  • Avoid discrimination by adhering to EEOC guidelines.
  • Be transparent with candidates about the screening process.

Social media background screening involves reviewing candidates' online profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to assess professional behavior and character. This process helps employers identify potential risks and verify information provided in resumes and applications. With the rise of Gen Z in the workforce, about 70% of employers now incorporate social media checks into their hiring processes. These checks can reveal insights not captured in interviews or traditional background checks, such as career achievements, communication style, and alignment with company values.