Cybersecurity technology provider Palo Alto Networks agreed yesterday to acquire container security software developer Twistlock for approximately $410m in cash, with computing technology producer Dell set to exit.
Twistlock has built a cybersecurity platform that protects cloud-native container systems such as Docker and Kubernetes, using machine learning to track normal app behaviour and scaling accordingly to detect any changes that could point to security issues.
The product also offers visual maps showing the security status of applications in real time, and automatically blocks activity and processes that are flagged up as anomalous.
The company had received more than $63m in funding altogether, including $33m in an August 2018 series C round backed by Dell’s corporate venturing subsidiary, Dell Technologies Capital.
Multi-family office Iconiq Capital led the round, which included existing investors Polaris Partners and venture capital firms YL Ventures, TenEleven Ventures and Rally Ventures.
Ben Bernstein, Twistlock’s co-founder and CEO, said: “Our vision for a cloud-native security platform is a natural fit with Palo Alto Networks cloud strategy. We have liked-minded teams, and we are looking forward to accelerating our ability to serve customers and partners on their cloud-native journey together.”
Palo Alto announced the deal alongside the acquisition of serverless security software developer PureSec, for an undisclosed amount. PureSec had raised $10m from Square Peg Capital, TLV Partners and Entrée Capital across two rounds.
