Microsoft Acquires IoT/OT Security Firm CyberX

Microsoft today announced that has purchased Internet of Things (IoT)/operational technology (OT) security firm CyberX as part of its strategy to expand the scope of its Azure IoT cloud-based security monitoring into existing industrial network devices.

The acquisition of the IoT/OT continuous threat-monitoring platform vendor was expected: Israeli news website Globes reported last month on the planned deal, which it said was worth some $165 million. CyberX has amassed $48 million in five funding rounds — its latest for $18 million, led by Qualcomm Ventures LLC and Inven Capital and including Norwest Venture Partners, Glilot Capital Partners, Flint Capital, and OurCrowd.

Financial details of the Microsoft's purchase of CyberX were not disclosed.

CyberX's platform will be integrated with Microsoft's Azure IoT, Azure Security Center for IoT, and Azure Sentinel SIEM for IoT. Microsoft's Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk, corporate vice president and CTO of cloud and AI security, and Sam George, corporate vice president of cloud + AI Azure IoT, wrote in a blog post today announcing the deal that CyberX's technology covers two missing elements in Microsoft's Azure IoT security: visibility and management of existing IoT devices including so-called "brownfield" equipment in the OT space.

"With CyberX, customers can discover their existing IoT assets, and both manage and improve the security posture of those devices," they wrote in the post. "With CyberX, customers can see a digital map of thousands of devices across a factory floor or within a building and gather information about their asset profile and vulnerabilities. Gaining this visibility is not only critical for understanding where security risks may exist and then mitigating those risks, but it is also a fundamental step to securely enable smart manufacturing, smart grid and other digitization use cases across production facilities and the supply chain."

Read more here and here.

Learn from industry experts in a setting that is conducive to interaction and conversation about how to prepare for that "really bad day" in cybersecurity. Click for more information and to register for this On-Demand event.