It's decided, it's 100 million dollars less! BlackBerry to buy AI Network Security for $1.4 billion
When it comes to BlackBerry, the first thing that comes to mind is BlackBerry, which was once widely loved as the most secure phone, but its mobile business has plummeted in recent years due to competition from smartphones such as iPhone and Android. In order to reverse the loss situation, BlackBerry's business has gradually changed, from a single mobile phone business to the field of network security.
In November 2014, BlackBerry announced agreements with Samsung and other well-known technology companies to further expand its mobile device management and security platform. In October 2016, BlackBerry said it would stop developing smartphones and turn its focus to software partnerships. During that time, BlackBerry bought WatchDox, an Israeli file security and digital rights management start-up, for $1 million to $150 million.
Today, BlackBerry has completely separated from the field of smartphones and has a very perfect layout in the field of network security. Just a week ago, there were rumors that BlackBerry would buy cyber security company Cylance for $1.5 billion. Until last night, BlackBerry officially announced that it would buy American artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security technology company Cylance for $1.4 billion in cash, 100 million less than the rumored $1.5 billion. BlackBerry said that after the deal is completed, Cylance will operate as a separate business unit within the company.
Cylance, an artificial intelligence and cyber security company founded in the United States in 2012, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and is responsible for developing artificial intelligence-based network security products to protect corporate customers from cyber attacks. It currently has about 4000 customers.
Chen Shouzong, CEO of BlackBerry, said that Cylance has a leading position in artificial intelligence and network security, and the acquisition is a good complement to BlackBerry's entire product lineup. It is said that the acquisition may be officially completed in February 2019.
