Google Acquires Cloud Security Firm Wiz for $32 Billion

Google has announced its plans to acquire cloud security platform Wiz for a whopping $32 billion.

This all-cash transaction marks the largest acquisition in Google’s history, underscoring the growing importance of cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence.

According to a joint press release, the acquisition will integrate Wiz into Google Cloud, enhancing the capacity of consumers to utilize “multiple clouds” and providing “an end-to-end security platform for customers, of all types and sizes, in the AI era”.

The increasing influence of AI has made cybersecurity a critical concern, with the companies stating that it is “increasingly important in defending against emergent risks and protecting national security”.

This deal is expected to undergo regulatory scrutiny, particularly given the previous administration’s resistance to large takeovers. However, with a new administration in place, the outcome remains uncertain.

Wiz, founded in 2020 by CEO Assaf Rappaport, will continue to operate independently, providing services to platforms led by other tech giants, including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

In a webcast, Rappaport emphasized Wiz’s capabilities, stating that the service “continuously scans an organization’s code and cloud environments, monitoring them in real time” to “prioritize the most critical risk based on real impact and blocks active threats”.

AFP