Microsoft has acquired start-up CloudKnox Security, an identity and access management platform designed in tune with the sensibilities of modern cloud computing.
Through the acquisition, Microsoft will be able to offer CloudKnox’s package of complete visibility into privileged access, helping organisations right-size permissions, enforce least-privilege principles to reduce risk, and employ continuous analytics to prevent security breaches.
In a blog post announcing the acquisition, corporate VP of Microsoft Identity, Joy Chik, said: “Since IT modernization often spans multiple clouds, cloud security and identity are top of mind for most of our customers. Modern identity security needs to protect all users and resources consistently across multicloud and hybrid cloud environments.”
The incorporation of CloudKnox into Microsoft Azure services will further enable customers through granular visibility, continuous monitoring and automated remediation for hybrid and multi-cloud permissions.
The CloudKnox acquisition closely follows the takeover of RiskIQ and ReFirm Labs recently in 2021, enhancing Microsoft’s security portfolio even more, which reports claim has generated revenues of over £7.3 billion in the past year, translating into a yearly growth of 40%.
Chik, speaking on this recent flurry of acquisitions, said: “ [It] shows [Microsoft’s] focus and execution in acquiring, integrating and expanding the strongest defences for our customers — from chip to cloud — backed by more than 3,500 defenders at Microsoft and the more than 8 trillion security signals we process every day.
“Microsoft is uniquely positioned to help empower and defend the future of hybrid work and multi-cloud environments, providing essential visibility, control and monitoring Zero Trust demands,” she added.
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