Google Wiz acquisition rumors: $23 billion on the table

Google-parent Alphabet is reportedly close to acquiring cybersecurity startup Wiz for about $23 billion. If finalized, the Google Wiz acquisition would be the biggest acquisition ever of the tech giant.

What we know about the Google Wiz acquisition

Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL) is reportedly close to buying cybersecurity startup Wiz for about $23 billion. If finalized, this would be Google’s biggest acquisition ever and a major boost for its cloud computing business. First reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by Bloomberg, these late-stage talks suggest a deal could be finalized soon.

Why Wiz?  Founded in 2020, Wiz has quickly become a major player in cloud security. In early May, Wiz raised $1 billion in a funding round, valuing the company at $12 billion. By 2023, Wiz reported $350 million in annual recurring revenue. Google’s cloud business has lagged behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Acquiring Wiz could help Google in some ways, including but not limited to:

• Strengthening Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Wiz’s advanced cloud security technology could make GCP more attractive to businesses concerned about cloud security, helping Google compete with AWS and Azure.

The Google Wiz acquisition is set to enhance Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Wiz’s advanced capabilities in Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)

• Enhancing cybersecurity capabilities: Wiz specializes in identifying potential attack pathways in cloud environments. Integrating Wiz’s expertise could improve the security of GCP and other Google services.
• Increased revenue potential: Wiz’s robust growth, with $350 million in annual recurring revenue in 2023, could provide immediate revenue benefits to Google.

It won’t be the first Google cybersecurity investment

This potential deal follows Google’s recent cybersecurity acquisitions. In 2022, Google acquired Mandiant for $5.4 billion, a company known for responding to state-sponsored cyber attacks. That same year, Google also bought Siemplify, a threat detection and automated response company, for $500 million. Adding Wiz would further bolster Google’s cybersecurity portfolio.

Wiz complements Google’s existing cybersecurity acquisitions like Mandiant and Siemplify, offering a broader range of security solutions.

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A closer look at the Wiz cybersecurity startup

Taking a closer look at Wiz.io, the cybersecurity startup poised for a significant acquisition by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, and here is why:

Founded in 2020, Wiz.io has quickly established itself as a leader in cloud security. It focuses on offering advanced solutions across major cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Here are its key features and capabilities:

• Agentless deployment: One of Wiz’s standout features is its agentless deployment model, which simplifies setup and management by eliminating the need for installing software on cloud resources.
• Comprehensive visibility: Wiz provides extensive visibility into cloud environments, scanning virtual machines, containers, and configurations to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance risks.
• Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Helps organizations identify and prioritize security risks within their cloud infrastructure.
• Cloud Detection and Response (CDR): Continuously monitors cloud environments for suspicious activities and facilitates rapid response to security incidents.
• Data Security Posture Management (DSPM): Focuses on discovering and securing sensitive data stored in the cloud.
• Innovative Security Graph: Wiz’s Security Graph visualizes the interconnectedness of different parts of the cloud environment, providing insights into how vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited in tandem, thereby enhancing risk management strategies.
• Least privilege policy enforcement: Assists in analyzing and optimizing cloud permissions, ensuring that users have minimal access required for their roles.
• Vulnerability management: Conducts thorough scans to identify known vulnerabilities within cloud environments, assisting organizations in prioritizing and addressing security patches.

Alphabet’s reported $23 billion acquisition of Wiz.io underscores the startup’s pivotal role in enhancing Google’s cloud security capabilities. Google Wiz acquisition is part of Alphabet’s broader strategy to bolster its cybersecurity portfolio, following earlier acquisitions like Mandiant and Siemplify.