Google Cloud Buying Mandiant, Bolstering Cybersecurity Services

Google is buying cybersecurity provider Mandiant to merge it with the public cloud provider Google Cloud.

The acquisition, which Google announced on Tuesday, would widen the scope of Google Cloud’s security services by bringing in Mandiant’s deep threat intelligence resources.

Google is spending $23 per Mandiant share, which totals about $5.4 billion. The companies said they expect the deal to close later this year, following stockholder and regulatory approvals.

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said Mandiant will bolster the hyperscaler’s security operations suite and advisory services.

Google Cloud’s Thomas Kurian

“Organizations 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,” Kurian said.

Google Cloud said it will keep channel partners in mind as it acquires Mandiant.

“… Google Cloud is deeply committed to supporting the technology partners of both companies, including the endpoint ecosystem. This acquisition will enable system integrators, resellers and managed security service providers to offer broader solutions to customers,” the company said.

Background

FireEye last year sold off its products and the FireEye brand to a consortium for $1.2 billion. The remaining company, renamed Mandiant, focused on controls-agnostic software and services. Those services include managed detection and response, attack surface management and threat research. More than 300 intelligence analysts work for Mandiant. FireEye bought the Mandiant brand in 2013.

Mandiant’s services reportedly would complement several Google Cloud services. That includes Google’s zero-trust, virus protection, security analytics and automation, Security Command Center and its Cybersecurity Action Team.

Mandiant’s Kevin Mandia

“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,” Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia said. “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.”

Rumors swirled last month that Microsoft was trying to buy Mandiant.