IBM to acquire ReaQta to expand its security portfolio

IBM Security announced an expansion of its cybersecurity threat detection and response capabilities with its plans to acquire ReaQta – an endpoint security solutions that are designed to leverage AI to automatically identify and manage threats, while remaining undetectable to adversaries.

This move will expand IBM's capabilities in the extended detection and response (XDR) market, aligning with IBM's strategy to deliver security with an open approach that extends across disparate tools, data and hybrid cloud environments.

As part of the announcement, IBM also detailed a new suite of XDR offerings under the QRadar brand. IBM QRadar XDR helps security analysts break down the silos between the proliferation of point products in the industry – providing comprehensive visibility across security tools and data sources, whether in the cloud or on-premises, and equipping security teams with the insights and automation they need to act quickly. Upon closing, ReaQta's offerings will become part of this portfolio, adding expanded native XDR capabilities to IBM's security portfolio aimed at helping clients adopt continuous monitoring and rapid response as part of a zero trust approach.

"Complexity has created a cloak that attackers are operating under, furthering their ability to circumvent defenders," said Mary O'Brien, General Manager, IBM Security. "The future of security is open, using technologies that can connect the security insights that are buried across disparate tools and advanced AI to identify and automatically respond to threats more quickly across their entire infrastructure, from endpoint to cloud. With our expanded capabilities via QRadar XDR and the planned addition of ReaQta, IBM is helping clients get ahead of attackers with the first XDR solution that reduces vendor lock-in via the use of open standards."

ReaQta, whose primary business office is located in the Netherlands with headquarters in Singapore, will join the IBM Security business unit upon closing.

ReaQta was built by an elite group of cybersecurity experts and researchers with AI and machine learning expertise and extensive backgrounds in security operations. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory reviews.

"Our mission at ReaQta has been to better equip the defenders, who are tirelessly striving to stay ahead of cyber threats, with advanced technology to quickly identify and block new attacks," said Alberto Pelliccione, CEO at ReaQta. "Joining forces with IBM will enable us to enhance and scale our unique AI capabilities across all types of environments via a proven platform for threat detection and response."