Arctic Wolf’s recent announcement of its plans to acquire Cylance from BlackBerry has sent ripples through the cybersecurity industry. The move is set to bolster Arctic Wolf’s Aurora Platform, adding crucial endpoint security capabilities to its existing suite of services, which includes managed detection and response, vulnerability management, managed security awareness, and cloud security.
The decision to integrate Cylance into Arctic Wolf’s offerings comes in response to a growing demand for unified security solutions in the face of increasingly complex cyber threats. This strategic move could potentially position Arctic Wolf as a strong competitor against industry giants like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne. By providing customers with a native endpoint security solution and the flexibility to choose from a selection of supported endpoint products, Arctic Wolf aims to deliver comprehensive security outcomes in a seamless and efficient manner.
Dan Schiappa, Arctic Wolf’s chief product and services officer, emphasized the significance of this integration, stating, “By adding endpoint security to our platform, we will be delivering the security outcomes organizations want in one, frictionless operational platform to go toe-to-toe with today’s advanced threats, while maintaining our commitment to customers and partners leveraging other endpoint solutions.” This commitment to flexibility and customer satisfaction is a core value that Arctic Wolf strives to uphold.
In a recent blog post, Schiappa highlighted the longstanding integration between Aurora and Cylance, spanning over seven years. He commended Cylance’s ability to prevent 98% of endpoint attacks, emphasizing the value that this partnership has brought to Arctic Wolf’s Security Operations Center. Existing Cylance customers can rest assured that their endpoint security products will continue to receive full support even after the acquisition.
The acquisition deal itself involves a combination of $160 million in cash and 5.5 million Arctic Wolf common shares. With plans for an eventual IPO, Arctic Wolf is set to undergo significant growth and expansion in the coming months. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by the end of BlackBerry’s fourth fiscal quarter in February, marking a significant milestone for both companies involved.
Nick Schneider, Arctic Wolf’s president and CEO, expressed optimism about the potential benefits of combining Cylance’s capabilities with Arctic Wolf’s existing offerings. He emphasized the ability to reduce alert fatigue, minimize risk exposure, and unlock additional value for customers through warranty and insurability programs. The strategic alignment of these two entities signifies a new chapter in Arctic Wolf’s evolution as a major player in the cybersecurity landscape.
This acquisition marks Arctic Wolf’s sixth successful purchase, following previous acquisitions of RootSecure, Rank Software, Habitu8, Tetra Defense, and Revelstoke. By adding Cylance to its portfolio at a significant discount compared to BlackBerry’s original acquisition price of $1.4 billion in 2018, Arctic Wolf is poised to capitalize on new growth opportunities in the cybersecurity market.
BlackBerry CEO John Giammatteo expressed confidence in Arctic Wolf’s ability to leverage Cylance’s assets effectively while highlighting the strategic benefits for BlackBerry as a reseller and shareholder in the company. The decision to retain BlackBerry’s Secure Communications portfolio underscores the company’s commitment to providing a diverse range of cybersecurity solutions to its customers.
Overall, the acquisition of Cylance by Arctic Wolf represents a significant milestone in the evolution of both companies. With a renewed focus on comprehensive endpoint security and a shared vision for innovation and growth, this strategic partnership is set to redefine the cybersecurity landscape in the years to come.