Palo Alto Networks Closes Acquisition of IBM’s QRadar SaaS Assets

Palo Alto Networks announced that it has completed the acquisition of IBM’s QRadar Software as a Service (SaaS) assets. This transaction underscores Palo Alto Networks and IBM’s commitment to secure customers with best-in-class threat prevention, addressing ever-expanding attack surfaces with the complete platform approach that is required to simplify security operations.

Palo Alto Networks Precision AI-powered Cortex XSIAM platform centralizes data and security operations capabilities that include SIEM, SOAR, ASM and XDR into a single platform to drastically streamline security operations and prevent threats at scale. Together, Palo Alto Networks and IBM, as a preferred managed security services provider, will help global customers across industries seize the opportunity to seamlessly shift from QRadar to Cortex XSIAM with no-cost migration services through IBM Consulting for eligible customers.

In addition, IBM has furthered its internal deployment of Palo Alto Networks security platforms with the deployment of Cortex XSIAM for its own next-gen security operations, and Prisma SASE 3.0 for zero-trust network security to safeguard more than 250,000 of its global workforce. IBM’s adoption of these marquee technologies is an example of how customers can benefit from the streamlined operations of products across the Palo Alto Networks portfolio. Further, Palo Alto Networks will deploy IBM solutions, including watsonx AI and data platform, to drive additional AI and automation capabilities.

Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO, Palo Alto Networks:, said, “We are on a mission to help organizations transform their security operations and harness the potential of Precision AI-powered platforms to better protect their businesses. Our partnership with IBM reinforces our commitment to innovation and our conviction in the tremendous benefit of QRadar customers adopting Cortex XSIAM for a robust, data-driven security platform that offers transformative efficiency and effectiveness in defending against evolving cyber threats.”

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM, said, “Together, IBM and Palo Alto Networks are shaping the future of cybersecurity for our customers and the industry at large. Working with Palo Alto Networks will be a strategic advantage for IBM as our two companies partner on advanced threat protection, response, and security operations using Cortex XSIAM and watsonx, backed by IBM Consulting. At the same time, IBM will continue innovating to help secure organizations’ hybrid cloud environments and AI initiatives, focusing our investments on data security and identity and access management technologies.”

Dave Gruber, Principal Cybersecurity Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group, said, “Vendors like Palo Alto Networks are delivering out-of-the-box, consolidated security operations capabilities, enabling security teams to rapidly accelerate improved outcomes while reducing complexity involved in managing a siloed security technology stack. As Palo Alto Networks completes the acquisition of the Q-Radar assets, Q-Radar customers will now have a simplified path to modernizing security operations with XSIAM.”

Benefits to Customers:

• Seamless Migration: Palo Alto Networks, alongside IBM Consulting and its team of security experts, will offer free migration services to eligible customers, ensuring a smooth transition to the Cortex XSIAM platform while retaining existing best practices and know-how.
• Enhanced Security Operations: Cortex XSIAM integrates multiple SOC tools into a Precision AI-powered platform, going beyond SIEM capabilities to provide comprehensive functionality, including SOAR, ASM and XDR, TIP, CDR, and ITDR. Its automation capabilities significantly reduce manual workload for SOCs, enabling more effective threat response.
• Advanced Analytics and Automation: Cortex XSIAM collects, normalizes, and analyzes security data in near real-time, automatically consolidating alerts into a reduced number of high-priority incidents. Precision AI-powered analytics and native automation increase accuracy and reduce incidents requiring human intervention.
• IBM Consulting Platform Support: Palo Alto Networks and IBM will offer immersive experiences for customers that are interested in adopting Palo Alto Networks security platformization, and IBM is training more than 1,000 consultants on Palo Alto Networks security solutions to help enterprises leverage the benefits of its network, cloud, and security operations platforms.
• On-Premises Customer Continuity: QRadar clients who wish to remain on QRadar on-prem will continue to receive IBM features and support, including security, usability and critical bug fixes, as well as updates to existing connectors and the ability to expand consumption. QRadar SaaS customers will continue on their current deployment, ensuring uninterrupted customer service and support until they are ready to move to Cortex XSIAM.