Google reportedly in talks to acquire cybersecurity firm Wiz for $23 billion

Google is in advanced talks to acquire cybersecurity firm Wiz for $23 billion. Wiz, founded in 2020 had been eyeing an IPO as recently as May, when the company achieved a valuation of $12 billion.

If the deal went through, the deal would be Google’s largest ever acquisition. At a time when nation state and criminal actors have managed to disrupt governments and large organizations, the deal would also underline a clear and continued bet on cybersecurity.

Wiz’s cloud security offering gives executives and cybersecurity professionals insight into the company’s full cloud presence, which appeals to large firms with significant computing resources. It is backed by a roster of blue chip firms, including Israeli VC firm Cyberstarts, Index Ventures, Insight Partners and Sequoia Capital.

Google has made large cyber acquisitions before - the company acquired cybersecurity firm Mandiant for $5.4 billion two years ago. Google had also been in talks to acquire sales software maker Hubspot, as was previously reported, but its pursuit had reportedly cooled down.

But the search engine giant now faces unprecedented levels of antitrust scrutiny. The Justice Department has sued Google twice on antitrust grounds. The company’s acquisition practices were highlighted in the most recent litigation, filed in 2023.