Trends
Alphabet’s record-breaking $32B cybersecurity deal
What happened: Alphabet secures Israeli cybersecurity startup in record-breaking acquisition Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced its largest-ever acquisition, purchasing the cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32bn (£24.7bn). The Israeli firm, which specialises in scanning cloud storage…
Headline
What happened: Alphabet secures Israeli cybersecurity startup in record-breaking acquisition Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced its largest-ever acquisition, purchasing the cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32bn (£24.7bn). The Israeli firm, which specialises in…
Context
Alphabet , the parent company of Google, has announced its largest-ever acquisition, purchasing the cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32bn (£24.7bn). The Israeli firm, which specialises in scanning cloud storage providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure for security vulnerabilities, initially turned down a $23bn offer from Alphabet last summer. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move for Google Cloud as it aims to catch up with industry leaders Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, both of which dominate the cloud computing market. Google currently holds a 12% share in the global cloud market, compared to Microsoft’s 21% and Amazon’s 32%.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Wiz was founded in 2020 by alumni of Israel’s Unit 8200, the military’s elite intelligence division, and has gained significant traction in the cybersecurity industry. The company, which has offices in New York and Israel, recently opened its European headquarters in London. It has backing from venture capital firms including Sequoia, Thrive, and Advent International. The deal will allow Wiz to continue operating independently, following a model similar to Microsoft’s handling of LinkedIn. It will also maintain partnerships with major cloud platforms, ensuring its services remain available across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, emphasised the importance of the acquisition: “Together, Google Cloud and Wiz will turbocharge improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds.” Also read: Infovista partners with Google Cloud Also read: Amazon, Google, and Meta support tripling nuclear power by 2050
Key Points
- Alphabet’s biggest-ever acquisition aims to strengthen its cloud security portfolio.
- The deal positions Google against Microsoft and Amazon in the competitive cloud services market.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
