Cole Grolmus’ Post

Mazel Tov. Turns out 13 out of 14 cybersecurity acquisitions in the last 6 quarters are Israel-based. The shift from point solutions to platform has pushed the largest security vendors in the world to buy up emerging technologies and expand their own products through M&A. Get ready. Bessemer Venture Partners issued their report and covered the consolidation in detail. What’s striking is the sheer concentration of innovation in Israel. Report is here: https://lnkd.in/dpqZRcby H/T to Tomer Diarai of Aleph below.

Crazy stat - 13 out of 14 cybersecurity acquisitions in the last 6 quarters are Israel-based. A consolidation motion is taking place in the cybersecurity industry. The shift from point solutions to platform has pushed the largest security vendors in the world to buy up emerging technologies and expand their product suite. In fact, it’s still going on, with the upcoming acquisition of Noname Security by Akamai Technologies. My former colleagues Amit Karp, Michael Droesch and Yael Schiff at Bessemer Venture Partners just released a report on the global state of cybersecurity (link in the first comment), but it’s this one graph in particular that caught my attention. The story of global market consolidation is well covered. What’s striking is the sheer concentration of innovation in Israel. Israel-based cybersecurity companies are the most desirable acquisition targets in the world, with interest from incredible global companies like Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. These wonderful M&A outcomes are just the beginning of a greater wave. Over the next 6 quarters, I predict we will see Israel-based cybersecurity companies preparing to go public. The silent juggernauts that have already scaled past $100M+ of ARR are simply waiting for the IPO markets to open up. Who will be the first? Congratulations Cider Security (acquired by Palo Alto Networks), Axis, Lightspin (Acquired by Cisco), Laminar (acquired by Rubrik), Ermetic, a Tenable company, Bionic, a CrowdStrike Company, Perimeter 81, a Check Point Company , Talon (by Palo Alto Networks), Dig Security (acquired by Palo Alto Networks), Spera Security (by Okta), Avalor Security, a Zscaler Company, Flow Security, Gem Security (acquired by Wiz)

To re-emphasize a post that I made earlier. The pro-israel community, and Israelis in general, need to change the mental paradigm. Just because there are a lot of people in Europe or a lot of people in American Blue States does not necessarily make them powerful or more powerful over us! America is graduating millions and millions of kids that can't do even basic math. Whereas Israel is cranking out these kinds of high-tech startups, even in the middle of a multi-front war! Israel's population is slated to be 15 million by 2048. If just 1% of those people can be entrepreneurs and scientists. That's an army of 150,000 mathematicians and scientists. Some of the most promising startups in Silicon Valley have less than 100 employees... Israel can crank out hundreds of valuable startups every year. Meanwhile, the United States is so bankrupt and bereft of scientific talent that almost all of our research institutions are filled with immigrants... A nation of 300 million people that is forced to import executives that have real hard skills. Why should Israel be intimidated by a nation of 300 million people who can barely do math? Israel proves again that it's quality, not quantity that matters in the modern world. We should act like it! #Zionism #Zionist #Israel #StandwithIsrael

And there are compelling reasons why that is so.

In the flurry of IPOs, mergers, and acquisitions, businesses chase growth, but cybersecurity gets sidelined. Shockingly, a 2020 IBM study found that over one in three executives faced data breaches due to M&A integration. The solution? 🔐 Mitigate risks through proactive measures. Thorough cybersecurity assessments, comprehensive security platforms, and strong mitigation are key to handling cloud security in M&A. 🛡️ Comprehensive visibility is crucial. Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP) enable teams to spot and fix risks effectively. In M&A, cybersecurity is non-negotiable. With best practices, advanced solutions, and a resilient culture, businesses can safeguard assets and maintain stakeholder trust. #Cybersecurity #MergersAndAcquisitions #MandA #LOKIGroup

TL; DR: Fewer total deals, but bigger pricetags when they do happen. This ebb and flow will continue; it always has. We will continue to see new technology advances, and acquisitions; especially in the coming years as the principals of some of these absorbed entities splinter out and continue creating. It will always be exciting times in cybersecurity.

🔔 In a bold and strategic move, AT&T is continuing to focus on its core business. This has led to some significant developments: 🔹 AT&T’s Strategic Divestment: AT&T has successfully divested its cybersecurity services group. This move is aimed at reducing the debt incurred from the previous acquisitions of DirecTV and TimeWarner, aiming to reduce its debt from $132.2 billion at the end of 2022 to approximately $100 billion by 2025. The birth of a new standalone managed cybersecurity services business - LevelBlue, with a should be seamless transition for existing AT&T Cybersecurity customers, to now LevelBlue. 🔹 The Rise of LevelBlue: Backed by WillJam Ventures, LevelBlue emerges as a separate entity with AT&T retaining a minority ownership stake. The new company boasts over 1000 employees across 10 countries. 🔹 Services and Strategy: LevelBlue is set to continue offering managed security services, cybersecurity consulting, threat intelligence, and continuous SOC support. It will also be part of AT&T’s network-embedded security strategy. 🔹 Partnerships and Expansion: LevelBlue plans to maintain partnerships with leading SASE vendors like Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco, while also keeping an eye out for promising new vendors that could enhance its portfolio. 🔹 Focus on R&D: LevelBlue is set to focus on threat research and new product development, including AI and ML. This move by AT&T is a testament to the dynamic nature of the tech industry. Exciting times ahead! 💼🚀

🚀 Ready to ride the tech news rollercoaster, IT pros and cybersecurity gurus? 🎢 Hold on tight because mergers and acquisitions are back on track, and your digital assets are the VIP passengers! 🛡️💻 🔒 Safeguarding your company's crown jewels during these corporate romances isn't just an afterthought anymore – it's a non-negotiable. Here's why: 🌐 **Before the Deal**: Prioritize cybersecurity due diligence to uncover any hidden skeletons in the digital closet. Remember, not all that glitters is gold! 🔍🔐 💼 **During the Merger**: Keep one eye on the champagne and the other on protecting your data. Merging companies means merging risks, too. Stay vigilant! 🥂🔒 🛠️ **After the Deal**: Integration is the name of the game. Ensure your security measures remain rock-solid as systems and teams come together. 💪🛡️ 🔮 But what does the crystal ball reveal for the tech industry's future amidst this merger frenzy? Let's speculate: 💥 More consolidation, more challenges. As giants join forces, new vulnerabilities emerge. Stay sharp, stay secure! 🔒👀 🏆 The race for innovative cybersecurity solutions heats up. Who will rise to the occasion and lead the pack in safeguarding digital frontiers? 🚀🛡️ 📡 Automation to the rescue! Embrace the power of AI and machine learning to stay ahead of threats and protect what matters most. 🤖💻 💬 Share your thoughts, predictions, and battle stories in the comments below! Let's discuss how we can fortify our digital empires together. 💬💪 #ainews #automatorsolutions #Cybersecurity #MergersAndAcquisitions #TechTrends #DigitalSecurity #AI #Automation Let's gear up for a future where our digital assets remain untouchable, no matter the M&A madness swirling around us! 🌪️💼🛡️ #CyberSecurityAINews ----- Original Publish Date: 2024-05-01 07:05

🔒 Fresh from the digital trenches: SecurityWeek reports a cybersecurity M&A slowdown in the first half of 2024, with only 178 deals shaking hands 🤝. Let's dissect this seismic shift in the cyber biz world and peek behind the digital curtain! 🔍 **Analysis Breakdown:** - 178 deals? That's the lowest half-year number SecurityWeek has ever tracked! Is this a sign of market consolidation, or a calm before the cyberstorm? 🌀 - Mergers and acquisitions are the spicy meatballs of tech, driving innovation or smothering it. Are we facing a techpocalypse or a cyber renaissance? 🤔 🚀 **Future Gazing:** - Will this dip in deals clear the cyber clutter or squeeze out the little guys? The big fish are hungry, but will they devour or collaborate? 🐟 - Are we witnessing a shift in cyber priorities, where quality trumps quantity? Let's raise our virtual toasts to the evolving cyber landscape! 🥂 🔮 **Crystal Ball Moments:** - History whispers that quiet times often precede tech revolutions. Are we on the cusp of a cyber reawakening, or treading through the calm digital waters? ⏳ - Buckle up, cyber pioneers. The digital chessboard is shifting. Let's arm ourselves with knowledge and adaptability to ride the cyber waves of change! 🌊 💡 **Your Turn, Cyber Warriors:** What's your take on this cyber slowdown? Are we gearing up for a cyber showdown or a peaceful tech utopia? Let your voices echo in the digital realm! 📣 #ainews #automatorsolutions #Cybersecurity #TechTrends #DigitalTransformation 💻🔒 Let's spark some cyber-dialogue and sway the digital winds with our insights! Remember, in the cyber realm, knowledge is armor, adaptability is survival, and innovation is king! 👑🌐 #CyberSecurityAINews ----- Original Publish Date: 2024-07-29 03:57

🔒 Exciting news in the cybersecurity world! Cybereason and Trustwave are joining forces in a merger that has tongues wagging! 💼💻 🤝 Cybereason's decision to merge with Trustwave has set the industry abuzz, with CEO Eric Gan predicting a boost in international markets. 🚀 🔍 What does this mean for IT professionals and cybersecurity experts, you ask? Let's dive in, shall we? 🔎 🔮 Predictions? Oh, I've got a few up my sleeve! Here's what I foresee in light of this monumental merger: - Strengthened capabilities to combat cyber threats 👊 - Enhanced services and solutions tailored to evolving security landscapes 🌐 - A powerful example of industry consolidation in turbulent times 🌩️ 🕰️ Reflecting on history, mergers like this often forge a path for innovation, growth, and enhanced protection against cyber villains! 🦸♂️💥 🧐 How do you view this merger? Share your thoughts and predictions below! Let's dissect this together, fellow #automatorsolutions in the #ainews arena! 💬🔗 💡 Stay awake, stay aware. The cybersecurity landscape is ever-changing, and this merger might just be the next game-changer! 💡 #CyberSecurityAINews ----- Original Publish Date: 2024-11-14 03:39