Arista, a company that specializes in cognitive cloud networking, has acquired network detection and response (NDR) platform provider Awake Security, according to a prepared statement. The transaction is expected to close in Arista's fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.

This is M&A deal number 393 that MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2020. See the full M&A deal list here.

With the acquisition, Arista will integrate Awake's platform into its portfolio to help its customers manage campus, data center and cloud networks, Awake CEO Rahul Kashyap stated. The acquisition also ensures that Arista customers can leverage Awake's platform to perform network analysis via a cognitive management plane that automates, integrates and orchestrates tasks.

A Closer Look at Awake

Awake delivers artificial intelligence-based NDR, the company indicated. In doing so, Awake helps organizations analyze network traffic, identify, assess and process cyber threats and generate threat insights.

Meanwhile, Awake's NDR platform is designed to recognize and react to threats by tracking entities, processing and analyzing real-time data and providing insights, the company noted. The platform consists of three components:

  • Awake Sensors: Provide continuous monitoring of end-users, applications and devices.
  • Awake Nucleus: Helps organizations understand entity behaviors and attributes and monitor changes to them.
  • Ava: Offers threat research, hunting, and investigative expertise.

MSPs, MSSPs and other channel partners can incorporate Awake's NDR platform into their offerings. In addition, Awake previously partnered with VMware Carbon Black, Demisto and other cybersecurity companies and works with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and other cloud platforms.

What Does the Awake Acquisition Mean for Arista?

The Awake acquisition enables Arista to deliver AI-based NDR. It also could help Arista capitalize on the rising demand for NDR solutions.

Global endpoint detection and response (EDR) market revenues are projected to total nearly $5.8 billion by 2026, according to industry analyst Reports and Data. Furthermore, an increase in the number of network endpoints is among the factors that is expected to drive the global EDR market's growth.