Microsoft acquires IoT security vendor

Acquisition is worth a reported $165m

Microsoft has acquired cybersecurity start-up CyberX to help overcome "one of the biggest hurdles" of IoT.

The deal is worth a reported $165m.

Microsoft VP Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk said in a blog post: "While the benefits of IoT are well established and significant, one of the biggest hurdles for customers is securing IoT devices - both for new digitisation initiatives as well as for legacy operational technology and industrial control system environments.

"CyberX will complement the existing Azure IoT security capabilities, and extends to existing devices including those used in industrial IoT, Operational Technology and infrastructure scenarios.

"With CyberX, customers can discover their existing IoT assets, and both manage and improve the security posture of those devices.

"Gaining this visibility is not only critical for understanding where security risks may exist and then mitigating those risks, but it is also a fundamental step to securely enable smart manufacturing, smart grid and other digitization use cases across production facilities and the supply chain."

Massachusetts-based CyberX was founded in 2013 by Omer Schneider and Nir Giller, both of whom worked for Israeli Defense Forces.

Reports of the potential acquisition first surfaced in early May.

Giller said: "By joining forces with Microsoft, we will rapidly scale our business and technology to securely enable digital transformation for many more organizations.

"Together, CyberX and Microsoft provide an unbeatable solution for gaining visibility and a holistic understanding of risk for all IoT and OT devices in your enterprise."