By adding Mandiant to its portfolio, Google Cloud is expected to enhance its current offerings to offer an end-to-end security operations suite with better capabilities to help customers across their cloud and on-premise environments
Mandiant agrees to be acquired by Google in an all-cash deal. (Credit: Outreach Pete/Wikimedia Commons)
Internet major Google has agreed to acquire publicly listed American cybersecurity firm Mandiant for nearly $5.4bn in cash.
As per the terms of the deal, Mandiant’s shareholders will be paid an amount of $23 per share. Following the closing of the deal, Mandiant will operate under Google Cloud.
Founded in 2004, the cybersecurity firm has built the Mandiant Advantage SaaS platform to provide current intelligence, automate alert investigation and prioritise and validate security controls products from a range of vendors.
Mandiant was acquired by FireEye in 2013 for over $1bn. Last year, FireEye sold its FireEye Products business to a consortium led by Symphony Technology Group (STG).
The sale by FireEye enabled it to separate the products from the controls-agnostic software and services of Mandiant. In October 2021, FireEye announced its name change to Mandiant.
Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia said: “There has never been a more critical time in cybersecurity. Since our founding in 2004, Mandiant’s mission has been to combat cyber attacks and protect our customers from the latest threats.
“To that end, we are thrilled to be joining forces with Google Cloud. Together, we will deliver expertise and intelligence at scale, changing the security industry.”
Google said that Mandiant will complement the existing strengths of Google Cloud in security.
Currently, Google Cloud offers customers services such as BeyondCorp Enterprise for Zero Trust, VirusTotal, Chronicle, and Security Command Center apart from expertise from its cybersecurity action team.
By adding Mandiant to its portfolio, Google Cloud expects to boost its current offerings to provide an end-to-end security operations suite with better capabilities to support customers throughout their cloud and on-premise environments.
Mandiant’s real-time and in-depth threat intelligence in combination with Google Cloud’s cloud-native security offerings will help enterprises stay protected at all stages of the security lifecycle, said Google.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said: “Organisations around the world are facing unprecedented cybersecurity challenges as the sophistication and severity of attacks that were previously used to target major governments are now being used to target companies in every industry.
“We look forward to welcoming Mandiant to Google Cloud to further enhance our security operations suite and advisory services, and help customers address their most important security challenges.”
The deal, which is subject to Mandiant’s shareholders’ approval and regulatory approvals among other customary conditions, is anticipated to close later this year.