HPE has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Axis Security, a cloud security provider. The acquisition will enhance HPE’s edge-to-cloud security capabilities by offering a unified Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) solution to combat the rising cyber threats posed as more people work from hybrid and remote locations.
HPE’s focus on a comprehensive SASE solution comes in the wake of increased demand for integrated networking and security solutions delivered as-a-service alongside the steady increase in flexible working cultures and enterprise migration to the cloud.
The Axis Security platform, Security Services Edge (SSE), allows access to corporate and public cloud resources and will build on the existing HPE cloud-based security networking company, Aruba, and its Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN). Further features of the SSE platform include authenticated user access at network edge, a secure web gateway, a cloud access security broker (CASB) and digital experience monitoring (DEM).
The new offering will see the HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform integrate the features of Axis Security’s SSE and provide a scalable solution to customers for a single monthly subscription with no capital investment required.
Aa a complete Edge-to-Cloud SASE solution, it will ensure security controls are applied to all people and devices no matter where they connect.
The transaction is expected to be concluded by the end of Q2 of the HPE 2023 fiscal year, subject to the final agreement and the new offering available to customers in the third quarter 2023.
“As we transition from a post-pandemic world, and a hybrid work environment has become the new normal, a new approach is needed for network edge security to protect critical SaaS applications,” said Phil Mottram, executive vice president and general manager of HPE Aruba Networking.
“The convergence of Aruba and Axis Security solutions will transform edge-to-cloud connectivity with a comprehensive SASE solution that provides enterprises with the highest levels of security for both IoT devices and all users’ access across geographically distributed locations. Today, we also accelerate our vision to help our customers expand their secure connectivity needs with SASE and private 5G solutions, building on our recently announced agreement to acquire private cellular technology provider, Athonet.”
Dor Knafo, CEO of Axis Security said: “We developed Axis Security to enable a world where connectivity to every business resource, from anywhere, could always be simple, safe and reliable. Our SSE platform is a natural complement to Aruba’s SD-WAN, network firewall and dynamic segmentation offerings. Together, we create a unified SASE platform, designed to extend connectivity to edge, and do so through a combination of modern access services all working together in harmony.”
