IBM Tackles Growing Attack Surface Risks with Plans to Acquire Randori

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM plans to acquire Randori, an attack surface management and offensive cybersecurity provider, to enhance its cybersecurity portfolio and support its Hybrid Cloud strategy. The acquisition aims to help clients identify vulnerabilities in their systems and prioritize risks effectively. With this acquisition, IBM will integrate Randori's capabilities into its existing QRadar XDR framework, allowing for improved threat detection and incident response. This marks IBM's fourth acquisition in 2022, as it focuses on strengthening its AI and cybersecurity expertise.

Positive

• Acquisition strengthens IBM's cybersecurity capabilities through Randori's technology.
• Integration with QRadar XDR promises enhanced threat detection and incident response.
• Further advances IBM's Hybrid Cloud strategy and portfolio of AI-powered products.

Negative

• None.

Addition of Randori helps further simplify threat detection and response, building on recent acquisition of ReaQta and Launch of QRadar XDR

Adds automation and skills to IBM X-Force's elite offensive cybersecurity team while bringing attackers' point-of-view into security operation center

SAN FRANCISCO and ARMONK, N.Y., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today at RSAC 2022 announced it plans to acquire Randori, a leading attack surface management (ASM) and offensive cybersecurity provider based in the Boston area. Randori helps clients continuously identify external facing assets, both on-premise or in the cloud, that are visible to attackers – and prioritize exposures which pose the greatest risk. Today's news further advances IBM's Hybrid Cloud strategy and strengthens its portfolio of AI-powered cybersecurity products and services.

Investigations into recent data breaches have shown that despite increased investment, companies continue to struggle with managing their attack surface. In fact, 67% of organizations saw their external attack surface expand over the past two years due to the rising use of cloud, third-party services, the Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems.¹ And 69% have been compromised via unknown, unmanaged, or poorly managed internet-facing asset in the past year.¹

"Our clients today are faced with managing a complex technology landscape of accelerating cyberattacks targeted at applications running across a variety of hybrid cloud environments – from public clouds, private clouds and on-premises," said Mary O'Brien, General Manager, IBM Security. "In this environment, it is essential for organizations to arm themselves with attacker's perspective in order to help find their most critical blind spots and focus their efforts on areas that will minimize business disruption and damages to revenue and reputation."

Randori is IBM's fourth acquisition in 2022 as the company continues to bolster its hybrid cloud and AI skills and capabilities, including in cybersecurity. IBM has acquired more than 20 companies since Arvind Krishna became CEO in April 2020.

Assuming the Role of Attackers

Randori is a hacker led company, with software to help security teams discover gaps, assess risks, and improve their security posture over time by delivering an authentic attack experience at scale. Designed to help security teams zero in on previously unknown exposure points, Randori's unique attack surface management solution takes into account the logic of an adversary based on real-world attacks - and is the only one to prioritize based on level of risk as well as the attractiveness of an asset to potential attackers using their proprietary scoring system.

Their unique approach has led to the development of a cloud native solution that provides better prioritization of vulnerabilities and reduces noise by focusing on customers' unique attack surface.  By simply entering an email domain, Randori will begin mapping a customer's attack surface, helping to identify shadow IT risks and potential entry points for ransomware. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, with offices in Denver, CO, Randori is backed by Accomplice, .406 Ventures, Harmony Partners and Legion Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed.  The transaction is expected to close in next few months, subject to customary closing conditions and any required regulatory reviews.

"We started Randori to ensure every organization has access to the attacker's perspective," said Brian Hazzard, Co-Founder & CEO at Randori. "To stay ahead of today's threats, you need to know what's exposed and how attackers view your environment - that's exactly what Randori provides. By joining forces with IBM, we can greatly accelerate this vision and strategy - leveraging IBM's deep expertise in AI, threat intelligence, offensive security and global reach. Together, we can arm the industry with the attacker's perspective – helping to give every organization the visibility and insight needed to get in front of the next wave of attacks."

Upon close of the acquisition, IBM plans to integrate Randori's attack surface management software with the extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities of IBM Security QRadar. By feeding insights from Randori into QRadar XDR, security teams will be able to leverage real-time attack surface visibility for intelligent alert triage, threat hunting, and incident response. This can help eliminate the need for customers to manually monitor new critical applications and respond quickly when new issues or emerging threats arise on their perimeter.

Randori also provides businesses with a solution that uniquely combines attack surface management with continuous automated red teaming (CART) to stress test defenses and incident response teams. Upon close, IBM will leverage Randori to compliment X-Force Red's elite hacker lead offensive security services while further enriching QRadar XDR detection and response capabilities. This will allow more global customers to benefit from a top-tier attack experience that helps uncover where organizations are most vulnerable. Randori insights will also be leveraged by IBM's Managed Security Services to help improve threat detection for thousands of clients.

For more information on Randori and IBM please visit this IBM Security Intelligence blog.

About Randori
Randori is your trusted adversary. Recognized as a leader in offensive security, Randori combines attack surface management (ASM) and continuous automated red reaming (CART) in a single unified platform to provide a continuous, proactive, and authentic offensive security experience. Relied upon by Meijer, Greenhill Inc, FirstBank, NOV, Lionbridge and many more, Randori helps companies stay one step ahead of attackers by continuously discovering what's exposed and validating risks as they arise. Discover your true attack surface today at www.Randori.com

About IBM Security
IBM Security offers one of the most advanced and integrated portfolios of enterprise security products and services. The portfolio, supported by world-renowned IBM Security X-Force^® research, enables organizations to effectively manage risk and defend against emerging threats. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research, development and delivery organizations, monitors 150 billion+ security events per day in more than 130 countries, and has been granted more than 10,000 security patents worldwide. For more information, please check www.ibm.com/security, follow @IBMSecurity on Twitter or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog.

Media Contact:
Michael Rowinski
IBM
rowinski@us.ibm.com

¹ ESG: Security Hygiene & Posture Management Survey, 2021

 

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SOURCE IBM

FAQ

What is the purpose of IBM's acquisition of Randori?

The acquisition aims to enhance IBM's cybersecurity portfolio by integrating Randori's attack surface management solutions, helping clients better identify and manage vulnerabilities.

When was the acquisition of Randori announced by IBM?

IBM announced the acquisition plans on June 6, 2022, during RSAC 2022.

How will Randori's technology benefit IBM's clients?

Randori's technology will improve clients' ability to detect vulnerabilities and prioritize risks, particularly in complex hybrid cloud environments.

What is the significance of this acquisition for IBM?

The acquisition enhances IBM's AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities and helps address the growing challenges posed by expanding attack surfaces in digital environments.