Identity security has become a fundamental pillar for protecting businesses in the digital age. With an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape and a hybrid environment where human and machine identities proliferate, the need for integrated and automated solutions is more critical than ever. In this context, CyberArk, a global leader in identity security, has announced the acquisition of Zilla Security, a company specializing in AI-driven Identity Governance and Administration (IGA).
The deal, valued at $165 million in cash, with an additional $10 million bonus based on milestones achieved, strengthens CyberArk’s strategy to offer a unified identity security platform powered by AI, designed to tackle governance challenges in complex digital environments.
The Identity Challenge in Digital Transformation
Modern businesses operate in hybrid digital ecosystems, where identities are not limited to human users but also include devices, applications, and cloud workloads. However, many organizations continue to rely on traditional identity governance systems designed for on-premise infrastructures, utilizing manual processes and having limited visibility into access and privileges.
These outdated systems pose multiple issues:
- Lack of Automation: Many companies depend on manual processes to manage access and roles, leading to inefficiency and a higher likelihood of errors.
- Compliance and Security Risks: The inability to audit and manage access in real-time increases the risk of regulatory non-compliance and insider attacks.
- Difficulty Scaling: In an environment where the use of SaaS and cloud is the norm, traditional approaches cannot effectively manage the growing number of identities and accesses.
Zilla Security addresses these challenges with a modern AI-based IGA platform, designed to provide automated identity lifecycle management, efficient access reviews, and optimized governance in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Zilla Security: A New Era in Identity Governance
Unlike legacy IGA systems that require lengthy implementations and manual configurations, Zilla Security offers a modern SaaS solution that drastically reduces deployment times and enhances operational efficiency for businesses.
Key Innovations from Zilla Security:
- AI-Driven Automation: Zilla utilizes artificial intelligence to identify access patterns and assign appropriate permissions without manual intervention.
- Ready-to-Use Integrations: Its platform includes one of the broadest libraries of integrations with SaaS applications and cloud environments, allowing for complete visibility of access.
- Optimized Access Review Processes: According to CyberArk, Zilla enables access reviews to be completed with 80% less effort compared to traditional systems.
- Efficient Provisioning and Deprovisioning Management: Automation reduces the burden on IT and security teams, decreasing support requests related to identity management by 60%.
- Simplified Regulatory Compliance: Zilla facilitates audits and compliance with regulations such as SOX, GDPR, and ISO 27001, reducing associated time and costs.
With these capabilities, Zilla has become a superior alternative to traditional IGA solutions, helping companies adapt to the accelerated pace of digitalization.
CyberArk’s Strategy: Integrating Modern IGA into Its Identity Platform
CyberArk, known for its leadership in Privileged Access Management (PAM), has expanded its focus in recent years to offer a comprehensive identity security platform. With the acquisition of Zilla Security, CyberArk fills the gap in modern IGA, providing an integrated offering that covers all aspects of identity security.
Benefits of Integrating Zilla into the CyberArk Platform
- Discovery and Mapping of Identities with Risk Context: CyberArk will be able to offer a unified view of all identities, both human and machine, with real-time risk analytics.
- Intelligent Privilege Controls: The combination of PAM and IGA will enable the implementation of least privilege-based access policies with centralized management.
- Complete Automation of Identity Lifecycle: From onboarding to offboarding, Zilla’s integration will enhance efficiency in identity management across any environment.
With this acquisition, CyberArk reinforces its position as the most comprehensive identity security provider, offering solutions that encompass PAM, MFA, access management, and now modern IGA.
Leaders’ Insights on the Acquisition
Matt Cohen, CEO of CyberArk
“Companies are facing exponential growth in the number of identities and privileges in increasingly complex environments. With the addition of Zilla, we will transform identity governance through scalable automation that simplifies regulatory compliance and maximizes security.”
Deepak Taneja, CEO and Co-Founder of Zilla Security
“What worked 20 years ago is no longer sufficient for today’s reality. Zilla represents a fundamental shift in how organizations can manage identity. With the power of AI, we’ve eliminated the complexities of traditional IGA, making it faster, simpler, and more cost-effective. Now, with CyberArk, we’ll scale this innovation globally.”
Andy Walker, VP at Optiv
“The market desperately needed a solution that unified identity security with modern IGA. CyberArk has filled a critical gap with this acquisition, providing its clients with a truly comprehensive platform.”
Availability and New Offerings Post-Acquisition
From now on, Zilla Security’s capabilities will be available as part of CyberArk’s offerings, featuring two main products:
- Zilla Comply: Simplifies access reviews and audit documentation through robust integrations and automation of the entire process.
- Zilla Provisioning: Optimizes access management using AI, reducing the operational burden on IT teams and ensuring that each identity has the appropriate permissions.
These solutions can be purchased as standalone products or integrated into CyberArk’s identity platform.
Conclusion: An Acquisition That Redefines Identity Security
The purchase of Zilla Security by CyberArk is not just another transaction in the tech industry; it represents a strategic move that marks a paradigm shift in identity governance. The combination of CyberArk’s expertise in privileged access security with Zilla’s innovation in AI-driven IGA creates a unprecedented platform in the market.
In a world where digital transformation is rapidly advancing and identity security is more crucial than ever, CyberArk positions itself as the undisputed leader in protecting all identities, ensuring that each user and machine has the correct access, at the right time, and with the necessary level of privilege.
As companies seek to strengthen their security posture and ensure regulatory compliance without compromising operational agility, the integration of Zilla into CyberArk’s platform represents a key advancement in the evolution of digital identity.