Wiz declining the offer from Google could have significant repercussions for Microsoft, according to analysts.
Google’s plan to acquire Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz for $23 billion has collapsed, with Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport citing a desire to prioritize the company’s growth and aim for an annual revenue target of $1 billion alongside a potential IPO.
This decision comes at a time when Google was seeking to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities, especially following a recent major outage involving another key player in the sector, CrowdStrike. Analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush pointed out that investor apprehensions and ongoing antitrust issues contributed to the deal’s failure. Google has been embroiled in intense antitrust scrutiny and recently concluded a major trial led by the Department of Justice.
Ives noted that the collapse of this acquisition could lead to significant changes within the tech sector. He suggested that Google will likely pursue growth in its cybersecurity operations despite losing out on Wiz, a trend he anticipates will also be mirrored by Microsoft.
He mentioned that consolidation is overdue within the cybersecurity industry and forecasted that Microsoft may seek to enhance its cybersecurity offerings in the upcoming year to year and a half. Microsoft recently faced criticism when a global IT outage was linked to a faulty update from CrowdStrike, which disrupted services and affected numerous sectors worldwide. While Ives maintains that CrowdStrike remains a leader in cybersecurity, this incident highlights the need for Microsoft to strengthen its cybersecurity offerings following the failed Wiz acquisition.