Channel investors, Channel partners, Content, Endpoint/Device Security, Identity

CrowdStrike Acquires Zero Trust Access Provider Preempt Security

Credit: CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike has purchased Zero Trust access provider Preempt Security for $96 million. The acquisition is expected to close during CrowdStrike's third fiscal quarter.

This is M&A deal number 386 that MSP Alert and ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2020. See the full M&A deal list here.

Together, CrowdStrike and Preempt will deliver a Zero Trust security architecture and threat protection to secure organizations' users, endpoints and data, the companies said. They also will enable organizations to use the CrowdStrike Falcon endpoint protection platform and Preempt technologies to guard against insider threats and other identity-based attacks that move laterally across networks.

What Is Preempt?

Preempt offers the Preempt Platform, which continuously analyzes, adapts and responds to threats based on identity, behavior and risk, the company said. The Preempt Platform offers a variety of security capabilities, including:

  • Analysis and Threat Detection: Allows organizations to leverage analytics focused on identity, behavior and risk and real-time network traffic to learn about threats.
  • Conditional Access: Ensures organizations can develop and deploy security policies for all users and service accounts.
  • Identity and Risk Insights: Provides an ongoing health and risk assessment that highlights password problems, stale accounts, Active Directory (AD) configuration issues and other security risks.

The Preempt Platform can be self-installed within two hours, the company said. It also can be used across on-premises, hybrid and cloud environments.

What Does the Preempt Acquisition Mean for CrowdStrike?

The Preempt acquisition is one of several recent moves that CrowdStrike has made to extend its cybersecurity market reach.

CrowdStrike this month unveiled new integrations for various Amazon Web Services (AWS) compute and cloud services. It recently established partnerships with OktaProofpoint and other cybersecurity companies as well.

Furthermore, CrowdStrike this year launched the CrowdStrike Developer Portal to encourage MSSPs and other channel partners to leverage the company's APIs to build applications and integrations. CrowdStrike also credited MSSPs and other channel partners for its business momentum earlier this year.

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.