Google Cloud is poised to complete the Mandiant cybersecurity acquisition on September 12, according to a disclosure to Nasdaq. Mandiant ($MNDT) shares completed their last day of trading on September 9, the disclosure indicated.
Although Big Tech regulators are concerned about Google's search and Android dominance, they so far don't have similar concerns about Google's cybersecurity business. Indeed, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved the Mandiant deal in August 2022, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) offered a similar approval in July 2022.
Google Buys Mandiant: Cybersecurity Buyout Details
Google agreed to buy Mandiant for $5.4 billion in March 2022. At the time, Google apparently was competing with Microsoft to acquire Mandiant, but Microsoft reportedly walked away from the alleged negotiations. With Mandiant, Google Cloud will deliver an end-to-end security operations suite and advisory services, the companies assert.
Google has been busy on the cloud security M&A front. Earlier, the company acquired Siemplify in January 2022. It also invested in Cybereason, an eXtended detection and response (XDR) software company, in October 2021.
Meanwhile, Mandiant separated from FireEye in 2021 and maintained its business momentum amid the sale to Google. The anecdotal evidence: Mandiant’s revenue was $138 million in Q2 of 2022, up 21% from Q2 of 2021.
We'll be watching to see who runs Mandiant under Google's ownership. Among the moves of note: Current Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia has joined the boards of Cohesity and Cybrary in recent weeks.
Google Engages MSSP Partners
Meanwhile, the Google Chronicle team has been building MSSP partnerships -- though Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft are taking similar steps.
AWS launched an MSSP partner competency in 2021, and then expanded the competency to engage six types of MSSPs in July 2022.
For its part, Microsoft continues to expand MISA (Microsoft Intelligent Security Association) -- an ecosystem of MSSPs & ISVs.
Story originally published in July 2022. Updated regularly thereafter.
