HPE accelerates network security drive with Axis Security acquisition

HPE has confirmed the acquisition of Israel-based cloud security provider, Axis Security.

The exact terms of the deal are yet to be detailed by HPE, however, the acquisition is expected to close in its second fiscal quarter.

In an announcement yesterday, HPE said the acquisition will enable the firm to expand its edge-to-cloud security capabilities by offering a unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution.

This, the company revealed, will help meet “increasing demand” for integrated networking and security solutions in a rapidly expanding and increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Axis, based in Tel Aviv, provides a cloud-native SSE platform called Atmos, which delivers “authenticated user access to private applications at the network edge”, a secure web gateway, and a cloud access security broker that provides in-line access to SaaS apps.

HPE said it will integrate Axis Security technology within its existing Aruba secure networking services in a bid to bolster its SASE offering, which delivers WAN and cloud security controls directly to the application network edge as opposed to routing data through a data centre.

This will help customers flexibly deliver provider networking components as a service through one dedicated point of control instead of acquiring, maintaining, and licencing separate components individually.

“Our SSE platform is a natural complement to Aruba’s SD-WAN, network firewall, and dynamic segmentation offerings,” said Dor Knafo, CEO of Axis Security.

“Together, we create a unified SASE platform, designed to extend connectivity to edge, and do so through a combination of modern access services – all working together in harmony.”

In addition, HPE revealed its GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform will also integrate Axis Security’s cloud-native SSE platform.

“As we transition from a post-pandemic world, and a hybrid work environment has become the new normal, a new approach is needed for network edge security to protect critical SaaS applications,” said Phil Mottram, executive vice president and general manager at HPE Aruba Networking.

“The convergence of Aruba and Axis Security solutions will transform edge-to-cloud connectivity with a comprehensive SASE solution that provides enterprises with the highest levels of security for both IoT devices and all users’ access across geographically distributed locations.”

Mottram said the acquisition builds on a recent acquisition of private cellular technology provider Athonet, as the company accelerates plans to expand SASE and private 5G solutions for customers.

Following the acquisition last month, HPE said the combination of its Aruba intelligent edge platform with Athonet will deliver the “most complete private 5G and Wi-Fi portfolio” currently available on the market.

“Combined with the HPE telco and Aruba networking portfolios, Athonet will put HPE at the forefront of a growing market that is predicted by IDC to increase to more than $1.6 trillion by 2026,” the company said.