Two of the cybersecurity sector’s biggest players, Check Point Software and Cisco, have recently made significant moves to enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through the acquisition of specialized startups. Check Point is finalizing its acquisition of Cyberint, an external risk management provider, while Cisco is in the process of acquiring Robust Intelligence, a company that offers technology focusing on AI threat detection and risk assessment.
Both Check Point and Cisco have been tight-lipped about the financial details of these acquisitions, but the deals are expected to be completed soon. Cisco’s move to acquire Robust Intelligence may not be as large-scale as its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk last fall, but it aligns with the company’s $1 billion investment fund launched in June to boost the development of secure and reliable AI solutions.
According to Enterprise Strategy Group analyst Dave Gruber, these acquisitions by Check Point and Cisco signify a strategic move to strengthen their platforms and enhance their AI capabilities, which will ultimately result in new revenue streams. Gruber emphasizes that these investments aim to solidify the companies’ positions as top cybersecurity platform providers in the industry.
Robust Intelligence, the startup being acquired by Cisco, was founded in 2019 by Harvard researchers Yaron Singer and Kojin Oshiba and is known for its AI model security and governance expertise. Their core product, the Robust Intelligence Platform, utilizes algorithmic red teaming to identify vulnerabilities in AI models and applications, offering AI Validation and AI Protection products as part of their portfolio.
On the other hand, Cyberint, the target of Check Point’s acquisition, specializes in attack surface management, dark web threat intelligence, and phishing detection. The addition of Cyberint to Check Point’s security operations center (SOC) capabilities is expected to enhance the company’s threat intelligence portfolio and provide customers with improved external exposure and reputational risk management.
Both acquisitions are seen as strategic moves by the two cybersecurity giants to address the evolving landscape of cyber threats and bolster their AI capabilities to better protect their customers. The integration of Robust Intelligence and Cyberint’s technologies into Cisco and Check Point’s platforms, respectively, is set to provide advanced security solutions that enable businesses to develop and deploy AI-enabled applications with added confidence.
In conclusion, the investments made by Check Point Software and Cisco in acquiring specialized AI startups reflect their commitment to staying ahead of the curve in cybersecurity and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to provide robust security solutions to their customers. With the integration of these new capabilities, both companies are poised to enhance their offerings and solidify their positions as leaders in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.