Qualys Acquires Blue Hexagon's AI/Machine Learning Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Qualys, a leader in cloud-based IT security, has acquired Blue Hexagon on October 4, 2022. This acquisition integrates AI/ML technology into the Qualys Cloud Platform, enhancing real-time zero-day threat detection and predictive analytics. The deal allows Qualys to analyze over 10 trillion data points for active vulnerability exploitation and advanced risk mitigation. The transaction was primarily cash-based, with some stock options. All Blue Hexagon employees, including CEO Nayeem Islam, will join Qualys, boosting its capabilities in AI-driven cloud threat detection.

Positive

• Integration of Blue Hexagon's AI/ML technology enhances real-time threat detection and predictive analytics.
• Utilization of over 10 trillion data points for uncovering behavioral patterns in cybersecurity.
• Augments existing solutions with advanced detection capabilities for vulnerabilities and network threats.

Negative

• None.

AI/ML technology to transform Qualys' massive data lake into a powerful predictive analytics platform that performs real-time zero-day threat detection

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ: QLYS), a pioneer and leading provider of disruptive cloud-based IT, security and compliance solutions, today announced it acquired the assets of Blue Hexagon. This brings AI/machine learning (AI/ML) to the Qualys Cloud Platform to help convert petabytes of highly integrated data into meaningful insights for customers. 

This acquisition will enable Qualys to leverage its powerful Cloud Platform and its more than 10 trillion data points to uncover behavior patterns including active vulnerability exploitation, identification of advanced network threats, and adaptive risk mitigation across all assets and applications. This dynamic combination of highly integrated security data with machine learning technology will bring predictive and automated reduction of cyber security risk to Qualys customers.

"The team and I are delighted to join such an innovative, industry-leading cloud security company," said Nayeem Islam, CEO and co-founder of Blue Hexagon. "Our deep learning-based Network Detection and Response products augment Qualys' massive security data lake with network data and deep learning, enabling enhanced security risk assessment and detection."

Blue Hexagon is an AI/ML innovator of Cloud Threat Detection and Response solutions enabling enterprises to adopt the public cloud securely through real-time detection of several types of cloud attacks, from supply chain infection in containers and storage, to crypto miners and APTs with command and control, to unauthorized activity from malicious actors.

The Blue Hexagon AI/ML technology will be integrated throughout the Qualys Cloud Platform allowing customers to:

Detect active vulnerability exploitations - Blue Hexagon's AI/ML-based threat detection capability, integrated into Qualys VMDR, will augment vulnerability assessment by detecting active exploitations based on behavior patterns and suspicious activities over the network.

Implement adaptive risk mitigation - Leverage the Qualys Cloud Platform for predictive analytics to reduce the risk of open vulnerabilities and threats including exposure of business-critical assets with adaptive mitigations.

Augment detection and response with the context of network threats - Blue Hexagon's AI/ML-driven network detection will allow Qualys Multi-Vector EDR and Context XDR to collect, inspect and analyze network telemetry, protocols and traffic in an agentless manner, including encrypted traffic, for early signs of ransomware and malware attacks.

"It is a pleasure to welcome the brightest minds in AI/ML and cybersecurity to the Qualys team," said Sumedh Thakar, president and CEO of Qualys. "Qualys' mission is helping organizations identify and reduce cyber risks, and the blue hexagon platform will enable us to provide powerful context-aware insights that will enhance our customers' cyber resilience."

All Blue Hexagon employees are joining the Qualys team with Nayeem Islam becoming vice president of product management for the threat analytics platform.

Additional Resources 

• Learn about  Qualys
• Details on the Qualys Cloud Platform
• Follow Qualys on LinkedIn and Twitter

The purchase price was paid predominantly in cash, with a portion delivered in the form of stock subject to certain vesting conditions. The transaction closed on October 4, 2022.

About Qualys 
Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ: QLYS) is a pioneer and leading provider of disruptive cloud-based security, compliance and IT solutions with more than 10,000 subscription customers worldwide, including a majority of the Forbes Global 100 and Fortune 100. Qualys helps organizations streamline and automate their security and compliance solutions onto a single platform for greater agility, better business outcomes, and substantial cost savings. 

The Qualys Cloud Platform leverages a single agent to continuously deliver critical security intelligence while enabling enterprises to automate the full spectrum of vulnerability detection, compliance, and protection for IT systems, workloads and web applications across on premises, endpoints, servers, public and private clouds, containers, and mobile devices. Founded in 1999 as one of the first SaaS security companies, Qualys has strategic partnerships and seamlessly integrates its vulnerability management capabilities into security offerings from cloud service providers, including Amazon Web Services, the Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure, along with a number of leading managed service providers and global consulting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.qualys.com.

Qualys, Qualys VMDR® and the Qualys logo are proprietary trademarks of Qualys, Inc. All other products or names may be trademarks of their respective companies.  

Media Contact:  
Jackie Dutton  
Qualys  
media@qualys.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qualys-acquires-blue-hexagons-aimachine-learning-platform-301640047.html

SOURCE Qualys, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Qualys' acquisition of Blue Hexagon?

The acquisition aims to enhance Qualys' cloud security capabilities by integrating Blue Hexagon's AI/ML technology for improved threat detection and risk mitigation.

When did Qualys acquire Blue Hexagon?

Qualys acquired Blue Hexagon on October 4, 2022.

What are the financial terms of Qualys' acquisition of Blue Hexagon?

The acquisition was predominantly paid in cash, with a portion delivered in stock subject to vesting conditions.

How will Blue Hexagon's technology impact Qualys customers?

Blue Hexagon's technology will enhance Qualys' offerings with AI-based detection of vulnerabilities and adaptive risk mitigation, improving overall cybersecurity resilience.

What new capabilities will Qualys gain from the acquisition?

Qualys will gain advanced AI-driven capabilities for detecting active exploitations and analyzing network telemetry for enhanced security assessments.