Content by Michael Novinson

Palo Alto, Versa, Cisco Lead First-Ever SASE Tech Evaluation

Michael Novinson  •  March 6, 2023

Platform players such as Cisco and Palo Alto Networks and pure-play vendors such as Lookout and Versa Networks top the first-ever vendor evaluation of the SASE market. Versa edged out Palo Alto Networks in product leadership, and Cisco was a distant third, the KuppingerCole Leadership Compass found.

What Happens When Cybersecurity Unicorns Lose Their Horns?

Michael Novinson  •  March 3, 2023

In the 21-month stretch from October 2020 to June 2022, a whopping 48 cybersecurity startups received 10-figure valuations as investors evaluated prospects on potential rather than performance. Now that the financial boom has gone bust, what happens to these unicorns from a different economic era?

Zscaler Lays Off 3% of Staff Amid Delays Closing Large Deals

Michael Novinson  •  March 3, 2023

Zscaler has axed nearly 180 workers after more deliberation from new customers around large purchasing decisions led to reduced billings growth. The company revealed plans to cut its 5,900-person staff by roughly 3% - or about 177 positions - as it adapts to a more challenging business environment.

HPE Buys SSE Firm Axis Security to Obtain Single-Vendor SASE

Michael Novinson  •  March 2, 2023

Hewlett Packard Enterprise will soon offer clients single-vendor SASE after agreeing to buy a security service edge startup founded by a Symantec security researcher. HPE will combine the cloud, web and data security technology acquired from Axis Security with its SD-WAN tool from Silver Peak.

US Cybersecurity Strategy Shifts Liability Issues to Vendors

Michael Novinson  •  March 2, 2023

A new federal strategy to make commercial manufacturers liable for insecure software requires an attainable safe harbor policy and could be a disincentive for software manufacturers in sharing important vulnerability information with the U.S. government, according to industry observers.

Summa Equity Buys Majority Stake in Logpoint to Bolster M&A

Michael Novinson  •  March 2, 2023

Summa Equity bought a majority stake in Logpoint to help the security operations firm expand in areas such as automation, detection and response, and attack surface management. The sustainable growth fund says the acquisition will allow the company to acquire technologies in adjacent areas.

Okta CEO: Identity Governance Has 'The Markings of a Hit'

Michael Novinson  •  March 1, 2023

Okta Identity Governance has enjoyed success in its first quarter of global availability as businesses unify access management and governance. Okta is surprised by the amount of traction its governance offering has gained with large enterprises and in competitive bake-offs, says CEO Todd McKinnon.

Checkmarx Snags Ex-Tricentis CEO Sandeep Johri as New Leader

Michael Novinson  •  February 28, 2023

For the first time in its 17-year history, application security vendor Checkmarx will have a new leader. The company has tapped Sandeep Johri, the longtime chief executive at software testing vendor Tricentis, to serve as its new CEO less than two years after being acquired by Hellman & Friedman.

CyberMaxx Taps Ex-Threat Stack CEO to Aid Offensive Security

Michael Novinson  •  February 28, 2023

CyberMaxx has landed the former CEO of cloud security vendor Threat Stack to bring offensive and defensive cybersecurity services together on one platform. The Nashville-based firm has tasked Brian Ahern with creating managed detection and response bundles with offensive and defensive capabilities.

US Official Reproaches Industry for Bad Cybersecurity

Michael Novinson  •  February 27, 2023

A top U.S. government official urged industry to become more conscientious over cybersecurity by preventing vulnerabilities from accumulating before products ship. CISA head Jen Easterly called for a more assertive role for government and an industrywide shift to memory-safe programming languages.

Wiz Raises $300M on $10B Valuation to Safeguard Cloud Data

Michael Novinson  •  February 27, 2023

Wiz has become the most valuable venture-backed cybersecurity vendor in the world, raising $300 million on a $10 billion valuation just three years after its founding. The New York-based startup will use the Series D proceeds to guard more complex cloud environments and fulfill robust global demand.

Cisco to Buy Startup Valtix to Guard Workloads Across Clouds

Michael Novinson  •  February 25, 2023

Cisco plans to buy cloud security startup Valtix to simplify network security and protect workloads no matter which cloud they're created or consumed in. The networking giant says Valtix will give clients common policy and enforcements of networking across all major public cloud environments.

Intel 471 Promotes Jason Passwaters to CEO to Land Prospects

Michael Novinson  •  February 24, 2023

Intel 471 has promoted second-in-command Jason Passwaters to CEO and tasked him with onboarding less-mature security organizations for narrower use cases. The company plans to land more threat intelligence customers by focusing on areas such as vulnerability management and patch prioritization.

The Security Perks and Perils of OpenAI on Microsoft Bing

Michael Novinson  •  February 23, 2023

Embedding OpenAI technology in Microsoft Bing will help both hackers and cyber defenders. The AI tool could make it easier for hackers to drive traffic to malicious sites, avoid search engine blocking and distribute malware, but it could also help security teams with code analysis and threat intel.

Why Is AT&T Cybersecurity Such a Good Acquisition Target?

Michael Novinson  •  February 22, 2023

AT&T wants to unload its cyber assets just five years after doubling down on security through its $600 million purchase of threat intelligence vendor AlienVault. The Dallas-based carrier has been working with British banking firm Barclays to solicit bids for its cybersecurity business, Reuters said.