In what will be its largest acquisition to date, Google's parent company, Alphabet, has agreed to buy cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion as it seeks to bolster its cloud computing division in the wake of rapid AI adoption and multi-cloud environments.

Meet the Wiz kids: Founded in 2020 by Assaf Rappaport and his team, Wiz has rapidly emerged as a leader in cloud security. The company specializes in identifying security risks within data stored across various cloud platforms, offering tools that seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructures. Its substantial customer base includes major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon.

Head in the clouds: This acquisition aims to strengthen Google Cloud's security offerings, enabling the company to better compete with rivals such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. By integrating Wiz's advanced security solutions, Google plans to enhance its ability to protect data across multiple cloud environments, a critical factor as businesses increasingly adopt AI technologies.

A déjà vu deal: It's not the first time Google has attempt to acquire Wiz. In 2024, the company proposed a $23 billion bid, which ultimately fell through due to regulatory concerns. The current $32 billion deal is seen as a reflection of Google's increased commitment and the growing importance of robust cloud security solutions. However, the acquisition (intended to close in 2026) is expected to face rigorous regulatory scrutiny, especially given Alphabet's existing antitrust issues and the new leadership of the Federal Trade Commission under Andrew Ferguson.

Google's grand plan: It's also not Google's first multi-billion cybersecurity acquisition. In 2022 the company bought threat intelligence and incident response specialist Mandiant for $5.4 billion. Google's intention is to integrate both Mandiant and Wiz into Google Cloud, giving it a comprehensive security platform, combining proactive threat detection with advanced cloud security measures.