The Reason behind Google to acquire Mandiant

Tech is the most important enabler of remote work. Cloud services are increasingly ubiquitous. An attack on a service can impact businesses globally. Google’s acquisition is a sign of how important cybersecurity is today. There were millions of new positions that have been created and filled since February 2020, meaning that IT Departments will be inundated with thousands of new devices coming onto their networks for the first time. Many employees will have onboarded remotely, others will have allowed family members to use their devices, and more will have undoubtedly accessed vulnerable public networks.

As a result, the risk of overprivileged devices accessing corporate resources will be huge in the coming weeks. If phones and laptops are brought into the office without a thorough security check, any malware on them could erupt into the entire network. It may also be the first time that many organizations have had the chance to properly manage and audit devices of those who have left employment during the past year. There is a need for A zero trust security framework, clearly offers the most efficient and cost-effective way to secure the Everywhere Workplace.

Mandiant provides a SaaS security platform called Mandiant Advantage. Because it is SaaS it can be deployed rapidly as well as complement existing security protocols and processes and according to Gartner, hybrid workplaces are here to stay, and remote workers will make up 32% of all employees worldwide by 2024. Businesses face myriad challenges shifting to this hybrid landscape.

Cybersecurity fundamentals have become even more important due to constant attacks via ransomware, malware and a host of other threat vectors, hence creating a global security imperative. The cloud represents a new way to change the security paradigm by helping organizations address and protect themselves against entire classes of cyber threats, while also rapidly accelerating digital transformation.

Google paid $5.4 billion in a cash deal to buy cybersecurity firm Mandiant, valuing Mandiant at $23 per share. Its Google Cloud unit, which is buying Mandiant, is a distant No. 3 to Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. Still, Google is Google, one of the most powerful tech firms in the world. The acquisition of Mandiant will complement Google Cloud’s existing strengths in security.

Google Cloud offers customers a robust set of services including pioneering capabilities such as BeyondCorp Enterprise for Zero Trust and VirusTotal for malicious content and software vulnerabilities. With the addition of Mandiant, Google Cloud will enhance these offerings to deliver an end-to-end security operations suite with even greater capabilities to support customers across their cloud and on-premise environments.

With the acquisition of Mandiant to Google Cloud will further enhance the security operations suite and advisory services, and help customers address their most important security challenges.

S Mohini Ratna, Editor, VARINDIA