Main image of article Google's $500 Million Acquisition Hints at Cybersecurity Priorities

Google has acquired cybersecurity company Siemplify for a reported $500 million. The acquisition will become part of Google Cloud’s Chronicle Security, which leverages machine learning to scan company data for potential threats.

“Our intention is to integrate Siemplify’s capabilities into Chronicle in ways that help enterprises modernize and automate their security operations,” Sunil Potti, GM of Google Cloud Security, wrote in a blog posting quoted by TechCrunch

“The Siemplify platform is an intuitive workbench that enables security teams to both manage risk better and reduce the cost of addressing threats,” Potti added. “Siemplify allows Security Operation Center analysts to manage their operations from end-to-end, respond to cyber threats with speed and precision, and get smarter with every analyst interaction. The technology also helps improve SOC performance by reducing caseloads, raising analyst productivity, and creating better visibility across workflows.”

Companies like Siemplify are developing product lines designed to streamline clients’ cybersecurity workflows, which can potentially help with the current cybersecurity talent crunch. Companies everywhere are on the hunt for cybersecurity specialists who can help secure every aspect of the tech stack, but a skills shortage is preventing many of them from hiring the talent they desperately need. This “skills gap” has drawn the attention of the White House and mega-corporations such as Microsoft, which are pouring lots of resources into education and training. 

Last year, IBM, Google, and Microsoft pledged to collectively educate hundreds of thousands of students in cybersecurity skills over the next few years. But even that effort might not be enough: According to Cyber Seek, a job-tracking database developed by the Department of Commerce and CompTIA, there are roughly 465,000 open cyber positions nationwide, including 36,000 across federal, state and local government agencies.

Biden’s recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has earmarked billions of dollars toward cybersecurity initiatives, which could further spike hiring at both private businesses and government agencies. The Act includes $100 million over five years for the creation of a cyber-response and recovery fund for businesses and infrastructure operators hit by a cyberattack, for example.

For cybersecurity experts with the right skills, this extraordinary demand is leading to companies offering all kinds of benefits, from pet insurance to flexible schedules and unlimited PTO. Hiring managers and recruiters are more than happy to talk about all-remote cybersecurity work, as well. Salaries are also strong. If you’re interested in helping companies secure their tech infrastructure, there’s no better time to explore the opportunities out there.