At a glance.
- Google signs agreement to acquire Wiz for $32 billion.
- Cybereason secures $120 million in funding.
Mergers and acquisitions.
Google has announced a definitive agreement to acquire New York-headquartered cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion in cash. Google says the "acquisition represents an investment by Google Cloud to accelerate two large and growing trends in the AI era: improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds (multicloud)." The New York Times notes that the acquisition would be Google's largest by far, dwarfing the company's $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2012.
Austin, Texas-based data and cloud security company Forcepoint has agreed to acquire Irish data risk assessment firm Getvisibility. The companies stated, "The agreement builds on a successful multi-year partnership, further integrating Getvisibility’s AI-driven risk visibility and remediation within Forcepoint’s full-lifecycle data security solutions."
Italian cybersecurity awareness training company Cyber Guru has acquired French phishing simulation provider Mantra. The companies stated, "Cyber Guru will integrate Mantra’s automated security awareness training solutions, including real-time defence and chat-enabled awareness training, which have seen tremendous growth. The companies will combine their ML engines and 340+ billion data points to deliver highly personalised, effective security training for a combined 1000+ organisations and 1.5+ million active users."
Investments and exits.
La Jolla, California-headquartered cybersecurity firm Cybereason has secured $120 million in funding led by SoftBank Corp., SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Liberty Strategic Capital. The company stated, "With this investment and to support Cybereason's renewed focus on its core EDR and consulting services, we have decided to pursue expansion of our strategic relationship with Trustwave, a leader in managed security services, rather than complete the previously announced intent to merge." Cybereason has also appointed Manish Narula as its new CEO. The company's former CEO Eric Gan left earlier this month following what the Register calls "a protracted and unpleasant fight with investors."
Estonian website protection startup Blackwall (formerly Botguard) has raised €45 million (approximately US$49 million) in a Series B funding round led by Dawn Capital, with participation from existing investor MMC. The company stated, "With this new funding, we are set to double our headcount as we expand further into the U.S. and APAC markets. Our goal is to strengthen our channel partnerships and accelerate the rollout of new security applications. We also intend to put even greater emphasis on R&D to better serve our partners with additional infrastructure and security products."
Nashville-based digital executive protection platform 360 Privacy has secured $36 million in a growth equity investment from FTV Capital. The company says the investment "will enable 360 Privacy to expand its engineering and revenue teams, accelerate technology and product innovation, and further enhance its ability to deliver best-in-class customer service to safeguard organizations and their executives."
Massachusetts-based exploit intelligence firm VulnCheck has raised $12 million in a Series A round led by Ten Eleven Ventures, with participation from existing investors including Sorenson Capital and In-Q-Tel. The company says it "will use the funds to fuel international expansion and accelerate growth by enhancing its exploit intelligence platform and scaling go-to-market initiatives."
US-based AI security and governance provider Darwin has emerged from stealth with $5 million in seed funding led by UpWest and Resolute Ventures. The company says it's "rapidly expanding to meet the AI security, governance, and adoption demands of state and local agencies."
Australian AI model safety evaluator Harmony Intelligence has raised $3 million in a seed round led by Airtree Ventures. The company says the funding "will let us expand our team, accelerate product development, and think long-term by providing multiple years of financial runway."
Executive moves.
Armis has named Patrick McCue as Senior Vice President of Global Partners.
Coro has hired Joe Sykora as General Manager of The Americas.
Cynet has appointed Meghan AuBuchon as Chief Marketing Officer.