Microsoft has signed an agreement to acquire Israeli cyber-security firm Hexadite for reportedly over £78 million ($100 million), as part of ongoing investment into security innovation and protection against cyber-attacks.
The Hexadite-Microsoft deal will aid Windows 10 customers in detecting and responding to cyber-attacks on their networks. According to an official Microsoft statement made last week, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection safeguards nearly two million devices, including the US Department of Defence.
Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft stated: “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 cyber-threat landscape”.
He continued: “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”.
The Israeli company uses artificial intelligence to identify and protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. The start-up uses technology that both detects and stops smaller threats while passing larger threats on to security experts.
A spokesperson from Hexadite said: “For our small team to go from idea to product, bring it to market, and then acquisition by one of the biggest and most respected companies on earth in 3 years is truly an amazing accomplishment”.
Hexadite was founded in 2014 by three veterans of IDF intelligence units who had also had previous experience working for Elbit Systems, a defence electronics firm.
Microsoft has made other cyber acquisitions in Israel before, including Aorato in 2014 and Adallom and Secure Islands in 2015.
