Microsoft acquires security firm Hexadite

Microsoft has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Hexadite (opens in new tab), a security firm based in Boston and with researchers operating out of Israel. According to Microsoft, it plans to eventually integrate Hexadite's automated threat detection technology with its Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection platform.

From Microsoft:

Today, Microsoft is strengthening its Advanced Threat Protection offering by adding artificial intelligence-based automatic investigation and remediation capabilities, making response and remediation faster and more effective. 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.

When the deal is finalized, Hexadite will come under the purview of Terry Myerson and the Windows and Devices group. Myerson commented on the deal, stating:

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. 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.

Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a recent report ahead of the acquisition pegged its value at around $100 million.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl

18 Comments
  • Isn't Hexadite a class name from Hunger Games or something...? :P
  • But they can't keep the mobile division?
  • One thing has little to do with the other.
  • I like Koala bears. They are so cute!
  • What a stupid comment...
  • Sure, you can have any Windows Phone you want as long as it's an Android or iPhone.
  • Lol... Exactly... That's garbage
  • Their Devices division isn't going anywhere. Where are you getting that from?
  • Hehehe 😀 I wonder how the C.E.O of Kaspersky Anti virus would be thinking now since he heard MSFT is acquiring Haxadite to improve Windows Defender, this must be a headache for him. 😂😜😛😁😆😝
  • What's even more funny is most people probably don't even know what your talking about considering wc didn't want to cover it
  • I'm pretty sure they did.
  • Yeah, they did
  • You may want to check what you write before you make a fool of youself: https://www.windowscentral.com/kaspersky-files-antitrust-complaint-again...
  • It's curious. They announced the deal, but it still needs to go through.  Then it'll take a minimum of 1-2 years before they can properly integrate Hexadite's features into WDATP. Although this could lead to issues for third party offerings, I don't think it's a concern for now.  Most of those third party products already have a decent grasp at threat defense, or else they wouldn't still be around.
  • I was wrong. It never showed up in the windows app so i thought they didn't cover it but i was wrong
  • Russians working at Kaspersky are getting triggered!
  • Amazing!
  • I truly believe baking such features into an OS is damning. Ain't fair at all.