Fortinet is acquiring Lacework as the cybersecurity platform battle heats up.
Lacework specializes in Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP). Fortinet said it will add Lacework's AI-powered platform to its Fortinet Security Fabric. Lacework has more than 1,000 customers.
According to Fortinet, Lacework will bring an agent and agentless architecture for data collection, a homegrown data lake and code security offering. By integrating Lacework's CNAPP into Fortinet's lineup, the company is betting that its more complete AI cybersecurity stack will woo enterprises looking to consolidate vendors.
Palo Alto Networks earlier this year set off the debate with a plan to bet that it could be the leading cybersecurity platform. Although the company said it has seen strong interest from customers, it's far too early to say the debate is settled.
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Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Constellation Research analysts Chirag Mehta said the Fortinet move gives it a portfolio that will compete with Palo Alto Networks offerings. In a post on X, Mehta noted that Fortinet will have a much broader portfolio to take on Palo Alto Networks.
Here's how the combination stacks up:
Speaking on Fortinet's first quarter earnings call, CEO Ken Xie said the company betting it can win amid the vendor consolidation.
"I think during the slowdown of the macro environment, competitors started to be more aggressive with discounts. But from all angles, we see we have much better product position, much broad like infrastructure coverage and better service, and also both on the performance angle. The product definitely has performed much better for the same function, same cost, and same time. It is more about how we can increase the coverage, increase the lease and pipeline, and also to meet the customer need in this big environment change."
