Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), a global leader in cybersecurity, has announced the completion of the acquisition of IBM’s Software as a Service (SaaS) assets from QRadar. This transaction underscores both companies’ shared commitment to securing their customers through top-tier threat prevention, addressing constantly expanding attack surfaces with a comprehensive approach to simplify security operations.
The announcement marks a significant advancement in the partnership between Palo Alto Networks and IBM, enabling global customers from various industries to leverage the cost-free transition from QRadar to the Cortex XSIAM™ platform. This transition will be facilitated by free migration services offered through IBM Consulting to eligible customers.
Palo Alto Networks has integrated its Cortex XSIAM platform, enhancing precision artificial intelligence that centralizes security operations capabilities such as SIEM, SOAR, ASM, and XDR on a single platform. This integration aims to dramatically streamline security operations and prevent large-scale threats. Additionally, IBM has deployed Palo Alto Networks’ security platforms in its own next-generation security operations, utilizing Cortex XSIAM for its global team of over 250,000 employees.
Nikesh Arora, President and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, commented: “We are on a mission to help organizations transform their security operations and harness the potential of AI-driven platforms to better protect their businesses. Our partnership with IBM reinforces our commitment to innovation and our belief in the transformative benefits that Cortex XSIAM offers QRadar customers.”
Arvind Krishna, President and CEO of IBM, added: “Together, IBM and Palo Alto Networks are shaping the future of cybersecurity for our customers and the industry at large. Working with Palo Alto Networks will be a strategic advantage for IBM as we collaborate on advanced threat protection and security operations using Cortex XSIAM and watsonx, supported by IBM Consulting.”
Dave Gruber, Principal Cybersecurity Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, highlights: “Providers like Palo Alto Networks are offering consolidated security operations capabilities, enabling security teams to accelerate improvements while reducing the complexity of managing a fragmented security technology stack. With the acquisition of QRadar assets, QRadar customers will now have a streamlined path to modernize their security operations with XSIAM.”
Customer Benefits:
- Seamless Migration: Palo Alto Networks, along with IBM Consulting and its team of security experts, will provide free migration services to eligible customers, ensuring a smooth transition to the Cortex XSIAM platform while maintaining existing best practices and knowledge.
- Enhanced Security Operations: Cortex XSIAM integrates multiple security operations tools in a precision AI-driven platform, offering comprehensive functionalities beyond SIEM capabilities, including SOAR, ASM, XDR, TIP, CDR, and ITDR. Its automation capabilities significantly reduce manual workload for SOCs, enabling a more effective threat response.
- Advanced Analytics and Automation: Cortex XSIAM collects, normalizes, and analyzes security data in near real-time, automatically consolidating alerts into a reduced number of high-priority incidents. Precision AI-driven analytics and native automation increase accuracy and reduce incidents requiring human intervention.
- IBM Consulting Platform Support: Palo Alto Networks and IBM will offer immersive experiences for customers interested in adopting Palo Alto Networks’ security platform, and IBM is training over 1,000 consultants in Palo Alto Networks security solutions to help companies leverage the benefits of their network, cloud, and security operations platforms.
- Continuity for On-Premises Customers: QRadar customers who wish to remain on QRadar on-premises will continue to receive features and support from IBM, including security patches, usability and critical bug fixes, as well as updates for existing connectors and the ability to expand their consumption. QRadar SaaS customers will continue with their current deployment, ensuring uninterrupted service and support until they are ready to migrate to Cortex XSIAM.
With this acquisition, Palo Alto Networks strengthens its position as a leader in the cybersecurity sector, offering advanced solutions and a smooth transition for QRadar customers to a next-generation security platform.