Sophos today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Secureworks, provider of Taegis, a SaaS-based, open XDR platform. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $859 million, according to the company. Sophos is backed by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, which also owns ConnectWise.
While there is some overlap in their product offerings, Secureworks brings Identity Detection and Response (IDR) and OT security to the Sophos portfolio. Sophos expects to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader security portfolio. Said Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos, in an email interview, “Specifically, this is going to strengthen our security operations services – for both customers that need additional help augmenting their in-house SOC or need a fully managed service – either one – for small, midmarket or enterprise-sized organizations – in any vertical. Sophos will also be able to expand our portfolio to include new offerings to customers, such as identity detection and response, next-gen SIEM capabilities, operational technology security, and enhanced vulnerability risk prioritization.”
Levy joined Sophos as CTO in February 2015, was promoted to president of Sophos Technology Group in 2023, and became CEO this year.
Wendy Thomas, CEO of Secureworks, sent MSP Success this statement: “The opportunity is clear between Sophos and Secureworks. We both want to help organizations strengthen their security posture and turn the tide against the adversary. This acquisition makes it possible to provide organizations with a trusted partner to tackle their cybersecurity threats.”
Impact On MSP Partners
Asked if there are plans for bringing the two partner programs together, Levy said: “Sophos and Secureworks are both channel-first companies – yet another synergy that will help us expand and integrate our respective strengths to scale further and faster. We expect a positive response from our partners because of the expanded integrated technology and services they will be able to sell – either to new customers at any sized organization or vertical – or as a strategic upsell and cross-sell motion to provide stronger cybersecurity.”
For MSPs that are currently partnered with Secureworks, he said it will be “business as usual at each organization” until the close is official.
Levy did not specifically answer if Secureworks leadership or staff will stay in place. “At this intent stage, we are focused on the post-signing details,” he wrote.
