Sophos has announced an $859 million all-cash agreement to acquire Secureworks, a move aimed at strengthening their combined cybersecurity solutions and expanding market reach.
Under the agreement, Secureworks shareholders, including Dell Technologies, will receive $8.50 per share, a 28% premium over the company’s 90-day average stock price.
The acquisition, expected to close in early 2025, will integrate Secureworks’ cybersecurity platform, Taegis, with Sophos’ managed security services and suite of security products, creating a unified force in cybersecurity with a focus on automated prevention, detection, and response.
The merger is poised to benefit organizations globally, particularly small to mid-sized companies and large enterprises that increasingly seek comprehensive digital protection amid growing cyber threats.
Sophos CEO Joe Levy said the acquisition enhances Sophos’ ability to provide advanced solutions for organizations of all sizes.
“Secureworks offers an innovative, market-leading solution with their Taegis XDR platform. Combined with our security solutions and industry leadership in MDR, we will strengthen our collective position in the market and provide better outcomes for organizations of all sizes globally,” Levy said.
He emphasized the alignment between the companies’ shared mission to “build a safer digital future for all.”
Secureworks’ CEO Wendy Thomas echoed Levy’s sentiments, highlighting the merger’s capacity to address rising cyber risks.
“Our mission at Secureworks has always been to secure human progress,” Thomas said.
She explained that Sophos’ robust endpoint, cloud, and network security technologies combined with Secureworks’ XDR-driven managed detection and response would help customers “strengthen their security posture and collectively turn the tide against the adversary.”
Both companies will continue to leverage AI-driven security tools and threat intelligence for faster response times against increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals.
Together, they plan to offer expanded cybersecurity services, including identity threat detection, next-generation security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities, operational technology security, and enhanced vulnerability risk management.
Cyberattacks have become more frequent and severe, driven by a complex cybercriminal landscape and geopolitical instability.
Both Sophos and Secureworks bring extensive experience in threat intelligence, incident response, and innovative security solutions, positioning the combined entity as a powerful force to help organizations fend off these threats.
Energy investment firm Thoma Bravo, a major backer of Sophos, has facilitated the acquisition, which will be carried out with the support of financial advisors from major firms including Goldman Sachs, BofA Securities, and HSBC.
