Red Hat acquires Kubernetes security firm StackRox
Red Hat said it would use the deal to bolster the security of OpenShift platform


Red Hat has announced it’ll acquire container and Kubernetes-native security provider StackRox in a bid to boost the security of its OpenShift Kubernetes platform.
StackRox offers native security solutions to Kubernetes containers by directly deploying components for enforcement and deep data collection into the Kubernetes cluster infrastructure. The StackRox policy engine includes hundreds of built-in controls to enforce security best practices; industry standards, such as CIS Benchmarks and NIST; configuration management of containers and Kubernetes; and runtime security.
Red Hat said the purchase would help it focus on securing cloud-native workloads by expanding and refining Kubernetes’ native controls and shifting security left into the container build and CI/CD phase. This will help provide a cohesive solution for enhanced security up and down the entire IT stack and throughout the lifecycle.
"Securing Kubernetes workloads and infrastructure cannot be done in a piecemeal manner; security must be an integrated part of every deployment, not an afterthought," said Red Hat CEO Paul Cormier.
"Red Hat adds StackRox's Kubernetes-native capabilities to OpenShift's layered security approach, furthering our mission to bring product-ready open innovation to every organization across the open hybrid cloud across IT footprints."
Red Hat said it plans to open source StackRox’s technology post-acquisition. It’ll also continue to support the KubeLinter community and new communities as Red Hat works to open source StackRox’s offerings.
In addition to Red Hat OpenShift, StackRox will continue supporting multiple Kubernetes platforms, including Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
In a company blog post announcing the acquisition, StackRox CEO Kamal Shah said his company made a strategic decision to focus exclusively on Kubernetes and pivoted its entire product to be Kubernetes-native.
“Over two and a half years ago, we made a strategic decision to focus exclusively on Kubernetes and pivoted our entire product to be Kubernetes-native. While this seems obvious today; it wasn’t so then. Fast forward to 2020 and Kubernetes has emerged as the de facto operating system for cloud-native applications and hybrid cloud environments,” Shah said.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?
In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
By Kate O'Flaherty Published
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
CI/CD comes into focus as enterprises ramp up application modernization efforts
News A greater emphasis is being placed on CI/CD pipelines among enterprises updating legacy applications and infrastructure
By George Fitzmaurice Published
-
IT leaders need to accept they’ll never escape technical debt, but that doesn’t mean they should down tools
Analysis Organizations contending with technical debt are struggling to deliver digital transformation projects, according to Red Hat research, but what can be done about it?
By Ross Kelly Published
-
Red Hat partner program shake up aims to “prioritize the ecosystem” and supercharge collaboration
News Red Hat is sending a “clear message” to partners with the launch of a new program framework
By Daniel Todd Published
-
How cloud-native agility helped DNEG level up its award-winning VFX
Case study Through Red Hat OpenShift’s cloud-native approach, renowned VFX innovator DNEG slashed its update times
By Rene Millman Published
-
Red Hat: AI skills gap now a leading threat to enterprise innovation
News IT managers in the UK are concerned the AI skills gap will hold their businesses back
By Solomon Klappholz Published
-
Red Hat: Enterprise IT automation being undermined by a reluctant workforce
News UK firms are also outpacing European counterparts in their shift to IT automation
By Ross Kelly Published
-
Red Hat appoints IBM executive Andrew Brown as chief revenue officer
News Software industry veteran will replace outgoing CRO Larry Stack, who will join IBM as a senior advisor
By Daniel Todd Published
-
IBM, Red Hat and Cobuilder reconnect fragmented supply chains
News New solution enables construction companies to build intelligent and sustainable workflows
By Praharsha Anand Published