Mimecast, a prominent global Human Risk Management (HRM) platform, made headlines today with the announcement of its acquisition of Aware, a leading AI collaboration security platform. This move signifies Mimecast’s commitment to revolutionizing the way organizations handle and mitigate human-centered security risks. While the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, the strategic implications are clear.
According to Mimecast’s CEO, Marc van Zadelhoff, the modern digital workplace presents both opportunities and challenges. While email and collaboration platforms like Slack® and Microsoft Teams facilitate connectivity and productivity, they also introduce significant security risks. Legacy tools are ill-equipped to comprehend the nuances of modern communication, including emojis, GIFs, and mentions, leaving organizations vulnerable to breaches and regulatory repercussions. Aware’s innovative platform was specifically designed to address these risks by identifying and mitigating human behavior risks within workplace collaboration tools through advanced AI-powered capabilities.
The significance of human risk management in cybersecurity cannot be understated, as highlighted in Forrester’s Human Risk Management Solutions Landscape report. With breaches often involving human error, privilege misuse, and social engineering, the need for comprehensive risk management solutions is evident. Aware’s platform fills this gap by proactively preventing data loss, ensuring compliance, and addressing human risk factors within organizations.
By integrating Aware’s AI-powered capabilities into its existing offerings, Mimecast strengthens its position as a leader in HRM. The acquisition enables Mimecast to provide state-of-the-art security and compliance solutions for customers, including enhanced impersonation detection across collaboration channels and improved archiving capabilities. This strategic move comes at a time when workplace collaboration is expanding rapidly, necessitating robust security measures to protect sensitive data and mitigate risks effectively.
Jeff Schumann, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Aware, emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to understand the human element of cybersecurity threats. By identifying potential issues and opportunities within workplace collaboration, Aware aims to help organizations protect their collaborative environments effectively. This aligns with Mimecast’s vision to empower businesses to proactively manage human-centered security risks and enhance productivity.
The acquisition of Aware follows Mimecast’s recent launch of Mimecast Engage™, a human risk awareness and training offering, and the acquisition of Code42. These strategic moves underscore Mimecast’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the cybersecurity landscape. Customers can expect to benefit from the integration of Aware’s technology into Mimecast’s products in the near future, enhancing the overall security and compliance capabilities offered by Mimecast.
Guggenheim Partners, LLC played a key role in advising Aware during the acquisition process, facilitating a smooth transition to becoming part of the Mimecast family. The synergies between the two companies are expected to drive continued innovation and growth in the evolving cybersecurity market.
In conclusion, Mimecast’s acquisition of Aware marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to redefine human risk management in cybersecurity. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and AI-powered solutions, Mimecast is well-positioned to help organizations navigate the complex and evolving threat landscape effectively. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, Mimecast remains at the forefront of delivering comprehensive solutions to protect businesses from the challenges posed by human-centered security risks.