PaloAlto Acquires Dig Security

Palo Alto set to acquire Dig Security Solutions., a startup that helps companies track and secure their internal data. Financial details are not disclosed.

Since 2017, Palo Alto Networks has bought more than half-dozen cybersecurity startups in deals cumulatively worth more than $1.9 billion.

For enterprises, one of the main challenges involved in data security is that it’s difficult to keep track of which file is stored where. Israel-based Dig has developed a platform that can automatically map out the data assets in a company’s cloud environment and on-premises file share applications. The platform classifies the records it finds by sensitivity. It can, for example, flag a spreadsheet as high-priority if it contains customers’ credit card details.

After mapping out a company’s data assets, Dig highlights records that are stored insecurely. It can, for example, spot files that are kept in an unencrypted form or have been shared with users outside the organization. The platform catches more subtle issues as well, such as situations where a company doesn’t log user interactions with an important dataset.

Dig says its platform can spot not only vulnerabilities but also hacking attempts. The software detects malware lurking among a company’s internal files, as well as unauthorized file downloads. Dig platform can provide administrators with information on whether a hacker is actively trying to steal data or creating vulnerabilities for use in future cyberattacks.

Palo Alto Networks plans to integrate Dig’s technology into its Prisma Cloud platform. The platform, which is built in significant part on technology the company acquired through its earlier startup acquisitions, helps enterprises secure their cloud applications. It also eases related tasks such as protecting so-called application secrets, a term that covers encryption keys and other sensitive pieces of data.

The acquisition comes a few weeks after reports emerged that Palo Alto Networks is seeking to buy another cybersecurity startup called Talon. The latter company develops a Chromium-based browser, TalonWork, that is designed specifically for use by enterprises. It ships with a range of cybersecurity features not included in consumer browsers.