Cisco to acquire Duo Security for $2.5bn
03 Aug 2018
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Cisco yesterday said it plans to acquire privately-held Duo Security, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Duo Security is the leading provider of unified access security and multi-factor authentication delivered through the cloud.
Duo Security’s solution verifies the identity of users and the health of their devices before granting them access to applications – helping prevent cybersecurity breaches.
The integration of Cisco’s network, device and cloud security platforms with Duo Security’s zero-trust authentication and access products will enable Cisco customers to easily and securely connect users to any application on any networked device.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay $2.35 billion in cash and assumed equity awards for Duo Security’s outstanding shares, warrants and equity incentives on a fully-diluted basis.
“In today’s multi-cloud world, the modern workforce is connecting to critical business applications both on- and off-premise,” said David Goeckeler, executive vice president and general manager of Cisco’s networking and security business. “IT teams are responsible for protecting hundreds of different perimeters that span anywhere a user makes an access decision."
Duo’s zero-trust authentication and access products integrated with Cisco network, device and cloud security platforms will enable Ciso's customers to cope with the complexity and challenges that stem from multi-and hybrid-cloud environments.
Business-critical data and applications today are accessed by users from a multitude of locations and networks, both secure and open, using company-issued and personal devices. Attackers know that one of the most effective ways to access enterprise systems is through compromising user passwords or devices.
According to the 2017 Verizon Data Breach Report, the majority of hacking related breaches involve stolen or weak passwords. Acknowledging this, Cisco and Duo Security are closely aligned in the approach of designing infrastructure for the extended enterprise where users, devices and applications are the center of the modern security architecture.
The acquisition of Duo Security will:
After the proposed acquisition, Duo’s software as a service-based (SaaS) model will be integrated with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) product to provide cloud-delivered application access control.
By verifying user and device trust, Duo will add trusted identity awareness into Cisco’s Secure Internet Gateway, Cloud Access Security Broker, Enterprise Mobility Management, and several other cloud-delivered products.
Merger the merger will expand Cisco's endpoint visibility coverage. Cisco’s in-depth visibility of over 180 million managed devices will be augmented by Duo’s broad visibility of mobile and unmanaged devices.
The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals. Duo Security, which will continue to be led by Song, will join Cisco’s Networking and Security business led by EVP and GM David Goeckeler.
