The companies announced Tuesday Google is strengthening their cloud security services with a $5.4 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Mandiant.
Cybersecurity analysts anticipate that this acquisition is the first of many following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Several government officials and analysts have predicted a large wave of cyberattacks from Russia and others as tensions between the two countries rise, wrote Wedbush analyst Dan Ives Tuesday.
Reston, Virginia-based Mandiant and its 5,300 employees will be merged into Google Cloud once the transaction closes
In an all-cash deal expected to close in this year, Google, a subsidiary of Mountain View, California-based Alphabet Inc., will pay $23 per Mandiant share.
In early February, when speculation about a deal between the two companies first surfaced, the price represents a 57% premium on Mandiant’s share price.
“For organizations seeking to stay secure in a constantly changing environment, the Mandiant brand is synonymous with unmatched insights,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.
Bringing together one of the best consulting companies in the world and extend one of the best security operations suites in the world represents an exciting opportunity.”
