Latest Acquisition Powers AI-based Network Detection and Response and Open XDR Capabilities for WatchGuard

Latest Acquisition Powers AI-based Network Detection and Response and Open XDR Capabilities for WatchGuard

SEATTLE – September 20, 2023 – WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, today announced the acquisition of CyGlass Technology Services, a leading provider of cloud and network-centric threat detection and response solutions that help organizations see risks, stop threats, and prove compliance. CyGlass’s 100% cloud native platform utilizes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities to deliver enterprise-class cyber defense across hybrid networks, to mid-sized and small organizations at an affordable cost and without hardware. The CyGlasstechnology will add to the WatchGuard Unified Security Platform® architecture, delivering AI-based detection of network anomalies with a future Network Detection and Response (NDR) service, and will accelerate Open eXtended detection and response (XDR) capabilities within WatchGuard ThreatSync.  

“The success of CyGlass in the last year demonstrates that mid-sized companies and MSPs are seeking innovative detection and response solutions that are not reliant on costly hardware. The WatchGuard solutions built on CyGlass technology will create a competitive advantage for our partners that will drive increased revenue and margin opportunities,” said Andrew Young, chief product officer at WatchGuard. “When integrated into WatchGuard’s Unified Security Platform architecture, partners and customers alike will benefit from the latest security advances to keep network attacks at bay, enhanced XDR insights and actions with telemetry from 3rd-party devices including switches, and easier regulatory and cyber-insurance compliance with powerful built-in reports.”

CyGlass mirrors a key tenet of WatchGuard’s mission, which is to make enterprise-grade security more accessible to all customers. Other NDR products commonly rely on expensive hardware and experienced security analysts to manage the solutions, meaning that only larger enterprise businesses could reasonably deploy them. CyGlass’sproduct and approach are different, as a fully Cloud-based solution, it enables mid-sized enterprises and MSPs to provide NDR capabilities at a very reasonable cost of ownership. 

“We founded CyGlass with the goal of helping organizations better defend their hybrid networks with new levels of intelligence that protect against the most sophisticated attacks,” said Ed Jackowiak, founder and CEO of CyGlass. “Joining WatchGuard and integrating our capabilities into its impressive Unified Security Platform architecture takes our mission to the next level and makes it available to an established global network of partners and customers.”

The immediate focus of the combined company is on supporting current CyGlass customers and partners with existing CyGlasssolutions and integrating the CyGlass technology into the WatchGuard platform.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP and K&L Gates LLP served as legal counsel to WatchGuard and Vector Capital.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform approach is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases their business scale and velocity while also improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect more than 250,000 customers, the company’s award-winning products and services offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.

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