HP Buys Bromium as Endpoint Security Market Consolidates
The endpoint security market is in the midst of consolidation, with vendors coming together to offer more comprehensive cybersecurity services.
HP is expanding its cybersecurity capabilities with the purchase of endpoint security firm Bromium, which already powers HP’s Sure Click malware protection system.
Bromium specialises in using virtualisation to isolate attacks in “micro-virtual machines”, helping protect enterprise computers from threats. Though virtualisation is one of the hottest segments of cybersecurity, and is growing rapidly on the back of demand for cloud computing and the proliferation of internet of things (IoT) devices, Broimum has struggled, and had its private valuation halved in 2016 after battling to raise venture capital funding,
Not surprising then, that the firm is leaning more on HP, which is now hoping to differentiate itself with a fresh focus on cybersecurity.
The acquisition is the natural progression of a partnership that the two firms have maintained since 2017, and will see Bromium’s tech integrated with HP’s Sure Sense, Sure Start and Sure View security products to improve protection against malware.
“Security is a key competitive differentiator for HP, providing the most secure PCs and printers on the market,” said Andy Rhodes, Global Head of Commercial Systems at HP. “The acquisition of Bromium extends our investments, leadership and focus in this space and securing end point devices that are on the front lines of defense against cyber security attacks.”
In recent months, several cybersecurity startups looking for the exit have found homes with bigger tech firms that can use their expertise to better serve growing demand for managed security services.
Former smartphone developer Blackberry became a billion dollar cybersecurity firm with the acquisition of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity company Cylance in February. Cisco purchased French IoT security and management Sentryo in June, and VMWare is in the process of purchasing Endpoint security firm Carbon Black.
