AT&T expects acquisition of open-source cybersecurity AlienValut specialist later this year
As AT&T continues down its network virtualization efforts using the open-source Open Networking Automation Platform (ONAP), the operator has acquired cybersecurity firm AlienVault, which uses open-source software to provide what the companies call “threat intelligence.” Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed; AT&T expects the deal to close in Q3 this year.
AlienVault describes its focus as “unified security for threat detection, incident response and compliance.” AT&T said AlienVault technologies will be integrated into its enterprise security offerings; the company emphasized the small- and medium-sized business segment as a focus of the integrated cybersecurity products.
Thaddeus Arroyo, CEO of AT&T Business, said in a statement the cybersecurity solutions are a “requirement” for businesses of all sizes. “Regardless of size or industry, businesses today need cyber threat detection and response technologies and services…AlienVault’s expertise in threat intelligence will improve our ability to help organizations detect and respond to cybersecurity attacks.”
AT&T is positioned as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for worldwide managed security services. The report cites that AT&T has made security a top focus. AT&T is making investments related to advanced threat detection and analysis, threat intelligence, virtualized security functions, and complementary services.2
AT&T will continue to invest in and build on AlienVault’s foundational Unified Security Management platform and Open Threat Exchange, the world’s first and largest open threat intelligence community, as the company integrates AlienVault into AT&T’s cybersecurity suite of services.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with AT&T. They bring a robust cybersecurity portfolio with an industry-leading technology ecosystem,” said Barmak Meftah, president and CEO, AlienVault. “This deal accelerates our ability to deliver on the AlienVault mission, which is to democratize threat detection and response to companies of all sizes.”
AlientVault crowd-sources some of its data through its Open Threat Exchange, which comprises around 80,000 users in 140 countries.
Last month, in a discussion of the company’s acquisition of Time Warner, now called Warner Media, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson alluded to further upcoming M&A activity—
