Cisco to Acquire Cloud Networking and Security Startup Isovalent

In a strategic move destined to fortify its dominance in the ever-evolving realm of cloud security, Cisco has officially declared its intent to acquire Isovalent, a trailblazer in open-source cloud-native networking and security. 

This bold acquisition underscores Cisco’s steadfast commitment to empowering organizations of varying sizes to navigate the intricacies of multi-cloud environments with unparalleled security and efficiency.

The union of Cisco’s industry-leading security prowess with Isovalent’s groundbreaking open-source technologies, including eBPF and Cilium, promises to reshape how organizations approach and manage cyber risks across diverse cloud infrastructures. 

This formidable synergy is set to propel the Cisco Security Cloud vision—an AI-driven, integrated platform designed to provide advanced protection against emerging threats at every layer of the cloud ecosystem.

Envisioning a Secure Multi-Cloud Future

Imagine a future where security seamlessly envelops applications, virtual machines, containers, and cloud assets across distributed environments. 

Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security and Collaboration at Cisco, anticipates this reality through the combined might of Cisco and Isovalent. 

Incorporating Cilium’s power will birth a unique multi-cloud security and networking capability, simplifying and accelerating digital transformation journeys.

Isovalent’s proficiency in eBPF, a revolutionary technology offering unprecedented visibility into operating system internals, has led to the development of Cilium—a preferred solution for cloud-native networking and security. 

Recent innovations, such as Cilium Mesh and Tetragon, enhance the acquisition’s comprehensiveness, providing simplified hybrid cloud connectivity and eBPF-based runtime security enforcement.

A Commitment to Open Source

Cisco’s unwavering commitment to open source is showcased through its promise to nurture, invest in, and contribute to the eBPF and Cilium communities. 

Stephen Augustus, Head of Open Source at Cisco, highlights the collaboration’s potential to accelerate innovation, positioning the Cisco Security Cloud platform as the definitive answer to evolving customer needs.

This acquisition reinforces Cisco’s position within the Cloud Native Computing Foundation and eBPF Foundation, establishing its role as a cornerstone of the open-source ecosystem. 

The collaboration between these industry giants promises to unleash the full potential of eBPF technology, ensuring the safeguarding of workloads irrespective of their cloud residency.

The anticipated closing of the acquisition in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 will witness the Isovalent team seamlessly integrating into Cisco’s Security Business Group.