Forcepoint acquires CASB vendor Bitglass

Forcepoint says it plans to integrate the service into its own data-first SASE architecture

Cybersecurity vendor Forcepoint has agreed to acquire Bitglass - the provider of a cloud-native security service edge platform which protects information as organisations transform to the cloud.

The platform combines offerings such as cloud access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway, zero-trust network access, cloud security posture management and data loss prevention to "enable uniform security policies for accessing the web, cloud, and private data centres" and is managed through a single console.

Forcepoint says it plans to integrate the service into its own data-first SASE architecture and claims it will "accelerate Forcepoint's efforts to make advanced data security and threat protection technologies easier for organisations to deploy and use".

"Complexity is the enemy of security. IT teams today are faced with the reality that securing a hybrid work environment is even more complex than the move to work-from-home was last year," said Manny Rivelo, CEO at Forcepoint.

"With the acquisition of Bitglass, Forcepoint will be accelerating our ability to address customers' widespread need for enabling hybrid workforces to safely access and use information everywhere - in the web, cloud and data centre more - easily than ever before.

"By uniting Bitglass and Forcepoint, we will be able to deliver the industry's first integrated security platform that transforms and consolidates data security, network, web, and cloud security, threat protection, advanced monitoring, and zero trust control to make access to and usage of information more effective, more reliable and less complex."

The news comes after the vendor announced a raft of changes and updates to its partner programme last week, including a new "elite" tier and added rebates to "reward partner-led growth".