Tag Archive for: acquire

Cisco to Acquire Cybersecurity Company Splunk for $28 Billion


On Thursday Cisco agreed to buy Splunk in a $28 billion deal intended to address AI-enabled security and observability issues.

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Image: iStockphoto\/jejim

Cisco announced yesterday its intention to acquire Splunk, a renowned name in data observability and security, in a deal valued at approximately $28 billion. Cisco intends to pay $157 in cash for each share of Splunk.

This acquisition, which is Cisco’s biggest deal ever, is aimed at furthering the company’s move to develop the next generation of AI-enabled security and observability solutions that aren’t capable of only threat detection and response but also threat prediction and prevention.

Also, Splunk’s technology helps businesses monitor and analyze their systems for cybersecurity risks and other threats. Cisco has focused mainly on manufacturing computer networking equipment, which is a line of business that has recently come under an increasing rate of supply chain attacks. With this acquisition, Cisco hopes to cut down its decades-long reliance on networking equipment manufacturing and solidify its cybersecurity and AI commitments to meet client demand and fuel growth.

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When will the Cisco/Splunk deal close?

This deal is set to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024. Although a unanimous agreement has been reached by the boards of directors at both Cisco and Splunk, the deal is still subject to regulatory approval and the consent of Splunk shareholders. Assuming the deal is finalized, Splunk CEO and President Gary Steele will join Cisco’s executive leadership.

Cisco initially expressed interest in acquiring Splunk last year, as reported in February 2022 by The Wall Street Journal. This caused Splunk’s stock price to increase.

Why this acquisition is a good move for Cisco and Splunk

New revenue streams and security innovations

Cisco asserts that the merger will accelerate its revenue growth without impacting its previously announced share buyback program or dividend program. In addition, this acquisition is fueled by the changing landscape in which Cisco operates.

The rising influence of the public cloud has significantly impacted Cisco’s traditional…

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Estonian National Charged with Helping Russian Military Acquire U.S. Electronics, Including Radar Components; Sought-Computer Hacking Software


An eighteen-count indictment was unsealed today in Brooklyn charging Andrey Shevlyakov, an Estonian national, with conspiracy and other charges related to procuring U.S.-made electronics on behalf of the Russian government and military.

Shevlyakov was arrested on March 28, 2023 in Estonia.  As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, at the time of his arrest, the Estonian seized inbound shipments addressed to Shevlyakov’s front companies, including one that contained approximately 130 kilograms (286 pounds) of radio equipment.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Houston and Trey McClish, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security – Office of Export Enforcement’s Dallas Field Office announced the charges.

“As alleged, for more than a decade, the defendant has been acquiring sensitive electronics from U.S. manufacturers on behalf of the Russian government, in defiance of U.S. export controls,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Our Office will not relent in its efforts to stop those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology for Russia or any other sanctioned countries, entities or individuals.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation for Task Force KleptoCapture, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) for their valuable assistance.

“For years, Mr. Shevlyakov’s elaborate web of deceit allowed him to allegedly procure sensitive American-made electronics on behalf of the Russian military,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith. “His illegal acquisitions of sophisticated U.S. technology endangered citizens in both Ukraine and the United States. FBI Houston will continue to work with our valued international partners, especially the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO), to investigate and disrupt actors who illicitly support the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces.”

“As these actions have proven, BIS will continue to hunt down and bring to justice those who harm our national security and illicitly supply the…

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Radiant Logic Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Brainwave GRC | News


NOVATO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb 1, 2023–

Radiant Logic, the Identity Data Fabric company, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brainwave GRC, a leader in Identity Governance and Analytics (IGA) headquartered in France. Together, Radiant Logic and Brainwave GRC address a broad set of identity use cases, and the acquisition accelerates the companies’ shared vision of an Identity Data Fabric that uses the science of data to ensure the right information is in place to make the right policy decisions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005046/en/

“Demand is increasing for cyber security, governance and compliance solutions that help companies address the continually evolving security threats, especially as regulatory environments and fines become more prevalent,” said Joe Sander, CEO of Radiant Logic. “By joining forces with Brainwave we will be able to unlock tremendous value for current and future customers by unleashing the power of identity data to help truly transform an organization’s IT landscape. Our combined platform will allow organizations to add unprecedented agility and flexibility in their infrastructure and business processes, while improving business continuity and security posture and reducing the total cost of ongoing regulatory compliance and IAM or IGA programs.”

Cyril Gollain, CEO and co-founder of Brainwave GRC, stated: “Merging with Radiant Logic is the natural next step for Brainwave GRC, providing transformative value for both our customers and employees alike. Together, this combined platform offers exceptional new insight into the role of identity data in the enterprise, and accelerates innovations in the area of analytics and IGA. We are delighted to benefit from Radiant Logic’s proven success, and when combined with our experience and reach in EMEA, it will allow us both to further expand and flourish.”

The acquisition will strengthen both Radiant Logic and Brainwave GRC’s respective market positions as identity, analytics and intelligence experts by offering a new lightweight…

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Thoma Bravo agrees to acquire digital forensics firm Magnet Forensics for over $1B • TechCrunch


Thoma Bravo, the private equity and growth capital firm, today announced that it would spend $1.8 billion CAD (~$1.34 billion) to acquire Magnet Forensics, a Waterloo-based company making software used by defense forces and businesses to investigate cybersecurity threats.

Magnet Forensics will be purchased by a newly created corporation controlled by Thoma Bravo, Morpheus Purchaser Inc., which will pay Magnet Forensics shareholders a 15% premium over Thursday’s closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Post-buy, Morpheus will be merged with mobile device forensics outfit Grayshift, which Thoma Bravo acquired majority control of last July.

The transaction is expected to close by Q2 2023, subject to shareholder and other customary approvals.

“We look forward to bringing together the complementary capabilities of Magnet and Grayshift to create a leader in the digital forensics and cyber security space,” Thoma Bravo partner Hudson Smith said in a press release. “Digital evidence is an increasingly critical aspect of investigations and the combined company will be well-positioned to further market expansion, accelerate innovation and provide even greater solutions to its customers.”

Launched in 2010, Magnet Forensics develops digital investigation software that acquires, analyzes, reports on and manages evidence from computers, mobile devices, Internet of Things devices and cloud services. The company was founded by Jad Saliba, a Waterloo regional police constable who worked in the police force’s high-tech crimes unit. After incubating Magnet Forensics’ software at the unit, Saliba decided to strike out on his own and sell the tech for a licensing fee, partnering with Jim Balsillie and Adam Belsher, then BlackBerry executives.

Before going public, Magnet Forensics attracted an investment from In-Q-Tel, the nonprofit venture arm of the U.S. intelligence community. The company claims that its software is used by more than 4,000 public and private sector customers — e.g. police forces, intelligence agencies, tax officials, border guards and militaries — in over 100 countries, helping investigators protect assets and guard national security.

Business was booming…

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