IBM acquires Agile 3 Solutions for cybersecurity technologies
IBM Security announced Monday it would add San Francisco-based Agile 3 Solutions to its cybersecurity portfolio.
Agile 3 develops software employed by C-suite executives to visualize, understand and manage risks connected with protected data, such as personal health information, or PHI. The privately held company sells a dashboard and what it described as an intuitive data risk control center to help visualize data-related business risks, so they can take action to proactively protect their business.
Upon completion of the acquisition, IBM will offer Agile 3 Solutions’ technology through IBM Data Security Services. Big Blue also plans to integrate Agile 3 Solutions’ capabilities into IBM Guardium, its own data protection software.
Agile 3 Solutions is the 20th security-related company IBM has acquired. IBM Security has hired approximately 1,900 security experts since 2015, and has invested in new programs to help the industry collaborate to battle cybercrime. The programs include IBM's X-Force Exchange and the IBM Security App Exchange.
Adding Agile 3 Solutions’ capabilities to IBM Security’s portfolio adds an intuitive tool to improve C-suite decisions regarding security and cybercrime, officials said.
The goal is to provide executives a lens with which to view business risk associated with data, the better to assess and prioritize cybersecurity investments.
"We've seen security move from the back office to the front office and now to the boardroom," said Marc van Zadelhoff, general manager, IBM Security. "Knowing what your crown jewel data is, and understanding its susceptibility to exploitation via external or insider threats, is an imperative for any organization."
“Having worked closely with IBM Security as a business partner, our team is excited by the opportunity to join the leader in enterprise security,”
Agile 3 founder and CEO Raghu Varadan said that his company’s mission has been to bring security into C-Suite conversations.
Now with IBM Security, we’re bringing together the ability to not only influence decisions but to take action to protect business critical data.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. IBM said the transaction is expected to close within several weeks.
Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com
