At a glance.
- Johnson Controls acquired CDS Integrated Security Systems and Gem Security Services.
- Executive moves.
- News emerging from the social media sphere.
Mergers and acquisitions.
Johnson Controls has acquired Welsh systems integrator CDS Integrated Security Systems and Gem Security Services. Security Informed reports that the acquisition will "further strengthen Johnson Controls’ range of innovative and interconnected electronic security solutions designed to protect people, property, and assets around the clock."
Texas-based data security software vendor Netwrix has acquired San Francisco-based early-stage privileged access management (PAM) startup, Remediant. Netwrix said that the acquisition would "beef up its privileged access management (PAM) portfolio with tools for just-in-time access as part of a zero standing privilege (ZSP) security model."
Hexagon AB, a global digital reality provider, has acquired physical security and enterprise incident management software solution provider Qognify. “Joining Hexagon gives Qognify the ability to expand its footprint in the area of true enterprise-class physical security solutions – especially in key verticals such as public safety, infrastructure and transportation,” said Steve Shine, President and CEO, Qognify.
Airbus SE is in talks to acquire a minority stake in French IT firm Atos SE's cybersecurity division. Shares of the French company rose following the initial report of the talks. The firm declined comment, but revealed in December that talks were initiated, specifically "exploratory discussions with potential future minority shareholders in the scope of activities grouped under the name of Evidian.”
Executive moves.
Rubrik has named John W. Thompson as the lead independent board director for the company.
R Street Institute has named Brandon Pugh as the policy director for the company's Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats team.
Rapid7 has brought on former Twitter security chief and whistleblower Peiter Zatko as an executive in residence, reporting directly to CEO Corey Thomas.
News emerging from the social media sphere.
Rapidly-growing social media outlet Mastodon's decentralized nature and reliance on volunteer server administrators may be what keeps it from being the next Twitter, Wired reported at the end of the year. Legalities surrounding the administration of the site, and servers, can make it difficult and time-consuming to host instances online. On top of that, administrators may also bear the brunt of harassment from users that disagree with their decisions. “It’s a natural tendency for people to go elsewhere online to try to find a replica of Twitter,” said Muira McCammon, a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania who has researched social platform death. “But Mastodon is not Twitter. It is not built like Twitter. And it is not aiming to churn a profit. So there is undoubtedly going to be friction that arises in that moment of migration.”
Twitter, per the usual as of late, has seen more activity in the past couple of weeks. The Information discussed the prospect of Steve Davis, the Boring Company CEO, as a new "hardcore leader" to take over Twitter. The Washington Post took a look at Elon Musk's reputation after all that has happened with Twitter, mentioning an audio call with software engineers that questioned his intent when he said that the company's code "needed a complete rewrite," and he couldn't explain what exactly he meant. His brute force management style is in question by Twitter employees who doubt his capability of turning the company around. However, Business Insider reported that there are tech founders backing Mr Musk's management style, saying that they believe that his leadership shows that the time of tech prospects being given an abundance of benefits is over. The New York Times also reported yesterday that the blue bird themed outlet is relaxing a longstanding ban it had on political ads.