Source: Windows Central
What you need to know
- A report indicated that Microsoft was considering acquiring cybersecurity firm Mandiant.
- The report said talks were early on and that no proper offer had been made.
- Now, Mandiant is off the table for Microsoft as Google has purchased the firm for $5.4 billion.
Though Microsoft already has a host of cybersecurity firms under its belt, it appears Mandiant won't be joining Redmond's collection anytime soon.
Early in February 2022, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft acquiring Mandiant was a possibility and that discussions were happening, though the report specified no offer had been made.
Now, Mandiant itself has spoken up with a press release that confirms it is going to be acquired by Google, shutting down speculation that the firm could be added to Microsoft's roster of cybersecurity outfits, which includes the likes of CloudKnox, ReFirm, RiskIQ, and others.
The value of the all-cash deal is approximately $5.4 billion, which translates to $23 per share. Mandiant's release offers additional details on the acquisition: "The offer price represents a 57% premium to the undisturbed 10-day trailing volume weighted average price as of February 7, 2022, the last full trading day prior to published market speculation regarding a potential sale of the Company. Upon the close of the acquisition, Mandiant will join Google Cloud."
This purchase represents further ammo for Google Cloud in the ongoing cloud competition headed by Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. The three giants often find their services in overlapping positions as well as competing for contracts and business. The competition has, in the past, gotten heated enough to bring about years-spanning lawsuits.
The trio of cloud providers also find themselves lumped into the same category when it comes to various governments' regulatory concerns.

How does the new XPS 13 Plus compare to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2)?
Dell's new XPS 13 Plus is finally here, with Lenovo's new ThinkBook 13x (Gen 2) still coming soon. They're both 13-inch devices starting at around the same price; how do they compare otherwise?

Microsoft may soon let you create your own dynamic themes for Xbox and PC
A new app called "Xbox Dynamic Themes Editor" has appeared, thanks to a reliable Microsoft leakster. Here's what it looks like.

Everything we know about the rebooted Forza Motorsport
Forza Motorsport is restarting the legendary franchise from Turn 10 Studios, and it's coming to Xbox and PC. Here's everything we know right now.

Get more from your XPS 13 with these great external monitors
The XPS 13 is capable of being your one and only PC, and with a great monitor you can turn it into a desktop with a single cable.