IBM buys CrossIdeas in struggle to meet cloud security demands

IBM has acquired Rome-based cyber security firm CrossIdeas, the company announced today.

IBM says it bought the privately-held company to further develop its security offerings and keep up with the ever changing space of enterprise data management.

As businesses increasingly move to the cloud, cyber security measures will have to evolve. The cloud can be incredibly difficult to secure, because many cyber security tools were created to deal with stationary data — meaning files that stay in one location, on one computer. Cloud computing changes all that with files that relocate regularly. Hackers are wise to this security flaw, making cloud compatible security software a hot item.

A lot of businesses are focusing on this area, and whole new security firms are emerging to take on enterprise cloud infrastructure. To this point, earlier this year Lookout Security hired a new CEO, Jim Dolce, who has a history of developing cloud security products; and small cloud security firm vArmour will come out of stealth this fall with $6 million in funding already lining its pockets.

CrossIdeas focuses on identity and access management, using analytics to verify a user’s identity, grant access to databases, and block backdoors. The platform also automates credential authorization management and gives managers and staff access to a dashboard for manual management.

“IBM can now provide enterprises with enhanced governance capabilities and transparency into risk from the factory floor to the board room, giving leaders the insight they need to protect their brand and customers,” says Brendan Hannigan, General Manager, IBM Security Systems.

IBM hasn’t released details on how much it paid for the company.

Expect to see other companies that focus on software for enterprise to be making similar moves. Right now, it’s a race to secure the cloud.