Palo Alto Networks and IBM have unveiled a board-reaching partnership to deliver cutting-edge AI-powered security solutions. As part of this collaboration, Palo Alto Networks will acquire IBM’s QRadar SaaS assets, including QRadar’s intellectual property rights, pending customary closing conditions.
Following this acquisition, Palo Alto Networks and IBM will assist QRadar SaaS clients in migrating to Cortex XSIAM, a leading next-generation security operations (SOC) platform offering advanced AI-driven threat protection with over 3,000 pre-built detectors.
Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, stated, “The security industry is at a pivotal moment where AI will revolutionize businesses and deliver unprecedented outcomes. This partnership with IBM will accelerate growth and innovation, combining our top-tier security solutions with IBM’s pioneering watsonx AI platform and premier services to drive the future of AI-powered security solutions.”
On-premise QRadar clients wishing to continue using QRadar will still receive IBM features and support, including security updates, usability enhancements, critical bug fixes, and updates to existing connectors. For those opting to migrate to Cortex XSIAM, Palo Alto Networks and IBM, along with their ecosystem of business partners, will provide no-cost migration services to qualified customers. IBM will receive incremental payments from Palo Alto Networks for on-prem QRadar clients who migrate to the Cortex XSIAM platform.
Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, commented, “Strategic partnerships like this with Palo Alto Networks bring significant benefits to the industry. Advanced threat protection and automation, underpinned by Cortex XSIAM and watsonx, and coupled with IBM Consulting, will accelerate the adoption of next-generation security operations for clients and partners.”
IBM Consulting will become a preferred Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) for Palo Alto Networks customers. The partnership includes establishing a joint Security Operations Center (SOC) and a joint Cyber Range to offer immersive experiences for customers better to understand the value of Palo Alto Networks security products.
IBM’s global, regional, and local delivery teams will leverage watsonx, IT automation, and threat intelligence to enhance advisory efforts and drive growth and adoption of Palo Alto Networks security platforms. Palo Alto Networks’ solutions will be integrated into IBM’s Consulting Advantage AI services platform, with more than 1,000 IBM experts trained to provide optimal migration, deployment, and adoption services.
Additionally, IBM plans to expand its internal deployment of Palo Alto Networks AI-powered security platforms, adopting Cortex XSIAM for next-gen security operations and Prisma SASE 3.0 for zero-trust network security to protect its global workforce.
Palo Alto Networks aims to integrate Watsonx LLMs into Cortex XSIAM to enhance automation capabilities and leverage IBM’s watsonx to improve customer support outcomes. Furthermore, IBM will expand its relationship with Prisma Cloud, Palo Alto Networks’ comprehensive cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP), to enhance DevSecOps capabilities for joint customers.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of September 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
