Microsoft is getting more active in the field of cybersecurity as it acquires Hexadite, an Israel startup that uses AI to identify attacks and protect users.
Said to worth $100 million, the acquisition is meant to expand Microsoft's existing security products by introducing new technologies and innovations that use AI and machine learning. The company is implementing the security solution into Windows 10, specifically with Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP).
Hexadite that had raised $10.5 million in funding, builds solutions based on AI and machine learning, modeled on "top cyber analysts". Using the method, it aims to prevent attacks like how humans would.
Using AI and machine learning, the security feature identifies and stops smaller issues, and learn to solve bigger problems so they can be addressed by security teams. Because of this, it helps the team by preventing them from being overwhelmed by smaller items, improving the time by 95 percent.
"With Hexadite, WDATP will include endpoint security automated remediation, while continuing the incredible growth in activations of WDATP, which now protects almost 2 million devices," noted Microsoft.
"Hexadite's technology and talent will augment our existing capabilities and enable our ability to add new tools and services to Microsoft’s robust enterprise security offerings," said Terry Myerson, Microsoft's executive vice president for Windows and Devices Group.
"Our vision is to deliver a new generation of security capabilities that helps our customers protect, detect and respond to the constantly evolving and ever-changing cyberthreat landscape."
As a broader goal, Hexadite's technology is also to secure legacy services that are no longer able to sustain itself against the more modern sophisticated malicious attacks. The technology is meant to update the systems to better protect their networks.
Microsoft in acquiring Hexadite, highlights how the company is focusing in the field of security, especially in enterprise IT.
