How Google’s $32 Billion Acquisition of Wiz Will Transform Cloud Security

Google’s recent acquisition of Wiz for $32 billion positions the tech giant to enhance its cloud security capabilities while diminishing its reliance on third-party vendors. This move reflects a strategy akin to Microsoft’s integration of its multi-cloud security tool, Defender for Cloud, as noted by Charlie Winckless of Gartner.

Wiz has emerged as a leading player in the cloud security space due to its robust architecture, which combines cloud security posture management, cloud detection and response, and application security. Winckless pointed out that, similar to Palo Alto Networks’ restructuring of its cloud security division, Google’s acquisition will likely see Wiz’s Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) functions incorporated into the company’s extensive security operations portfolio.

Despite these advancements, concerns exist regarding the perception of the service’s commitment to multi-cloud environments. Winckless cautioned that enterprises using AWS, Azure, or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure may question whether Wiz will continue to invest equally in functionalities catering to these platforms, as it does with Google Cloud Platform. This uncertainty is particularly pertinent in the immediate future.

In a recent video interview with Information Security Media Group, Winckless elaborated on Wiz’s ascension as a cloud security frontrunner and the emergent synergy between cloud security and operational security. He also touched on the possible negative perception of Wiz abandoning its traditional stance of multi-cloud neutrality.

Winckless specializes in zero trust principles and secure cloud usage, offering keen insights into how cloud technology can harmonize with network security objectives. His research encompasses various domains, including security service edge and secure access service edge, as well as a wide array of security models relevant to infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Notably, his work addresses critical areas such as CSPM, security service platform management (SSPM), cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP), and cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP).