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Cyxtera Acquires Immunity Inc. Threat Research Services

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Manuel D. Medina
Former Terremark CEO Manuel D. Medina leads Cyxtera.

Cyxtera Technologies, a company that provides a platform to connect and protect dedicated infrastructure, private clouds and public clouds, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Miami-based threat assessment and penetration services provider Immunity for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March, pending regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

With the acquisition, Cyxtera will add Immunity's offerings to its threat analytics solutions portfolio, according to the deal announcement. Immunity services that will be incorporated into the Cyxtera portfolio include:

  • Canvas: Assessment tool for penetration testing and hostile attack simulations.
  • Innuendo: Advanced penetration testing tool for modeling data exfiltration attacks.
  • Specialized Attack and Assessment Services: Various services for penetration testing, application assessments, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, architecture review and source code review.

Cyxtera Gains Penetration Testing Services

In addition, the Immunity acquisition enables Cyxtera to deliver automated and continuous penetration testing and advanced adversary simulation services to help customers address the complete cyberattack lifecycle, the company said. It also enables Cyxtera to bolster its global data center platform, CEO Manuel Medina indicated.

Dave Aitel

The Cyxtera data center platform delivers unified network security and deep analytics across hybrid architecture, the company noted. It offers on-premises security and analytics capabilities via software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery, Cyxtera said, and includes specialty services for healthcare, financial services and public sector organizations.

Founded by CEO Dave Aitel, Immunity’s leadership team also includes security experts Bas Alberts and Nico Waisman. Medina, meanwhile, is the former CEO of Terremark. In 2011, Verizon acquired Terremark in a $2 billion deal valued at 19x EBITDA and 5x return on equity, his bio indicates. At the time of sale, Terremark was generating revenues at a run rate of nearly $400 million per annum and $100 million in EBITDA per annum.

Cyxtera Launches Global Channel Partner Program

Cyxtera offers cloud- and hybrid-ready security and analytics offerings to more than 3,500 customers globally. It also collaborates with service providers, integrators and master agents via the Cyxtera Partner Network, the company's global channel partner program.

The Cyxtera Partner Network was launched in September and enables partners to package their own offerings with Cyxtera's data center services, according to the company. Furthermore, the Cyxtera Partner Network allows partners to leverage Cyxtera's cybersecurity solutions to safeguard customer applications and infrastructure.

Key features of the Cyxtera Partner Network include:

  • Co-marketing opportunities.
  • Sales enablement programs.
  • Three-tier structure with access to multiple levels of benefits and support.

The initial companies to join the Cyxtera Partner Network included:

  • Avant: Financial technology company that provides an online lending platform.
  • SageNet: Managed network solutions provider that offers connectivity, security and implementation support.
  • Westven: Telecommunications master agency that provides data, network and voice solutions.

Cyxtera intends to build out its partner program and continues to explore ways to better serve its customers and extend its global reach, Chief Revenue Officer Barry Field said in a prepared statement.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.