WatchGuard acquires Panda

WatchGuard Technologies has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Panda Security, a global provider in advanced endpoint protection.

The outfit said that once the integration is complete, its joint customer and partner community will benefit from a security platform that bridges the network and user perimeter, touting the same combination of innovative security features and simplified packaging, deployment and management capabilities.

Watchguard CEO Prakash Panjwani said: “Businesses today face an increasingly sophisticated and evolving threat landscape, scarcity of trained security professionals, and an increasingly porous perimeter. As a result, network security, advanced endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, secure networking, and threat detection and response capabilities are consistently ranked as top security investment areas by IT decision-makers and IT solution providers who serve them. By bringing the companies together, we enable our current and future customers and partners to consolidate their fundamental security services under a single brand, backed by the innovation and quality that is a core part of both companies’ DNA.”

Panda Security uses  automated, AI-driven processes and security analyst-led investigation services, Panda Security was the first endpoint protection platform (EPP) vendor to offer a 100 percent attestation service, certifying the legitimacy and safety of all running applications. The company also recently launched a threat hunting service available for direct enterprise consumption and for Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) who resell Panda Security services.

Panjwani said: “In the short term, the acquisition of Panda Security makes best-in-class endpoint detection and response, threat hunting, endpoint AV, email security, patching, and data compliance and encryption accessible to our customer base through a trusted vendor and their IT solution provider of choice. Longer term, our customers and partners will enjoy the additional benefits that come from these solutions being tightly integrated with the core WatchGuard offering.”

Panda CEO Juan Santamaria Uriarte said: “We are  excited to see our innovative product portfolio be delivered via WatchGuard’s strong global network of partners. Together, we look forward to building a security platform that bridges the network and user perimeter, with capabilities that are unmatched in the cybersecurity market.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second quarter.