The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google’s parent company Alphabet is nearing a deal to acquire hotshot cloud security startup Wiz in a deal valued in the range of $23 billion.
The Journal said the two sides are in advanced talks and that a deal could be completed “soon.” If the transaction closes, it would be Alphabet’s largest acquisition ever and would add one of the fastest growing — and highly valued — startups to an expanding cybersecurity product and services suite.
Google’s cyber portfolio now includes Mandiant (acquired for $5.4 billion), Siemplify (acquired in 2022 for $500 million) and the venerable VirusTotal malware scanning and threat intel service.
Wiz, an Israeli startup backed by prominent venture capital outfits like Andreesen Horowitz, Greylock and Sequoia Capital, raised a massive $1.9 billion over several funding rounds and was most recently valued at $12 billion.
Wiz sells software that scans enterprise cloud deployments to find and proactively fix security flaws that expose organizations to data theft.
Earlier this year, Google announced an ambitious enterprise security strategy that included two new threat intel and security operations products and plan to use the magic of AI to tap into the booming cybersecurity market.
Related: Google Debuts New Security Products, Hyping Mandiant Expertise
Related: Google to Acquire Mandiant for $5.4 Billion
Related: Wiz Raises $1 Billion at $12 Billion Valuation
Related: Wiz Acquires Gem Security, Pushes Tools Consolidation
