Two weeks ago, we learned that Microsoft was expected to acquire Hexadite, an Israeli IT security startup in a move to improve its cybersecurity efforts. The Redmond giant has just confirmed the acquisition today, though the company didn’t disclose the terms of the agreement (a previous report from Israeli newspaper Calcalist previously mentioned a $100 million deal).
According to the press release, the Hexadine team will join the Windows and Devices Group following the close of the deal and a period of integration. Hexadine’s technology, which provides automatic incident investigation and remediation solutions to companies will be used to improve Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP):
Today, Microsoft is strengthening its Advanced Threat Protection offering by adding artificial intelligence-based automatic investigation and remediation capabilities, making response and remediation faster and more effective. With Hexadite, WDATP will include endpoint security automated remediation, while continuing the incredible growth in activations of WDATP, which now protects almost 2 million devices.
As the massive WannaCry attack recently showed, Microsoft can’t really afford not to take cybersecurity very seriously these days. “Our vision is to deliver a new generation of security capabilities that helps our customers protect, detect and respond to the constantly evolving and ever-changing cyberthreat landscape,” explained Terry Myerson, EVP of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group. “Hexadite’s technology and talent will augment our existing capabilities and enable our ability to add new tools and services to Microsoft’s robust enterprise security offerings.”
