Google Reportedly Close To Buying Cloud Security Giant Wiz
Google is reportedly near a $23 billion deal to acquire the enterprise cloud security business Wiz.
In what would be the tech giant’s largest-ever acquisition, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is eyeing an acquisition of the cloud cybersecurity startup whose current partners include Oracle and Amazon.
The New York Times reports the transaction is in the advanced stages of discussion but remains uncertain and is subject to potential scrutiny by US regulatory bodies. The same publication also suggested that the head of Google Cloud, Thomas Kurian, is the key catalyst behind the acquisition plan.
Wiz claims it secures corporate cloud infrastructure “by creating a normalising layer between cloud environments,” enabling businesses to “rapidly identify and remove critical risks”. Google acquiring such a specialist cloud cybersecurity business and integrating its tools and solutions across its portfolio could have a seismic impact on the industry at a time when Microsoft is consistently coming under fire for its own security vulnerabilities.
A $23 billion acquisition would be almost double Google’s previous largest acquisition when it bought Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion in 2012.
Amazon Reportedly Tracking Hours Corporate Workers Spend In Office
Amazon has reportedly started tracking the hours corporate workers spend in the office.
Business Insider reports the move is to combat the rise of “coffee badging”, the purported trend of employees badging into the office, getting coffee and then leaving shortly after to circumvent Amazon’s Return To Office (RTO) mandate.
Business Insider, which cited sources close to the matter as well as several screenshots of internal Slack messages that the publication had seen, stated that multiple Amazon teams, including the cloud computing and retail arms, were told that a minimum of two hours per visit is required to be deemed as formal office attendance. Some teams were told to stay at least six hours per visit.
“Over a year ago, we asked employees to start coming into the office three or more days per week because we believe it would yield the best long-term results for our customers, business, and culture. And it has,” Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan told Business Insider.
The vast majority of employees are in the office more frequently, there’s more energy, connection, and collaboration, and we’re hearing that from employees and the businesses that surround our offices. Now that it’s been more than a year, we’re starting to speak directly with employees who haven’t regularly been spending meaningful amounts of time in the office to ensure they understand the importance of spending quality time with their colleagues.”
RingCentral, Vodafone Extend Business UC Service To 30+ Nations
RingCentral and Vodafone have announced they are extending their shared Vodafone Business UC solution to over 30 markets by early 2025, including South America, the Middle East, Africa, further EU countries, and Asia Pacific.
In an expansion of their longstanding strategic partnership, the businesses also announced that they will begin offering Vodafone Business Contact Center with RingCentral, powered by RingCX.
“With the addition of Vodafone Business Contact Center with RingCentral, powered by RingCX, we’re ensuring businesses can meet their customers wherever they are in their journey while also driving operational efficiency,” said Homayoun Razavi, EVP, Chief Business Development Officer at RingCentral. “As we work to empower organizations worldwide to adapt to the evolving digital workplace, we’re providing them with AI-driven tools that optimise communication workflows for better business outcomes.”
Vodafone Business is enhancing its customer service capabilities by integrating CCaaS into its existing UCaaS solution, Vodafone Business UC with RingCentral. This strategic move will empower its global customer base to deliver superior customer experiences.
Wavenet Announces CEO For Combined Daisy Business
Wavenet has confirmed that Philip Grannum will be the CEO of its newly combined business with Daisy Corporate Services.
Grannum, Wavenet’s current CEO, will be appointed in the role following regulatory approval and the completion of the merger this week.
It has also been confirmed that the new company, set to become the UK’s largest independent IT-managed services and security provider, will operate under the Wavenet brand.
Grannum said:
The completion of the deal to combine Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services marks a significant step forward in creating the UK’s largest independent IT-managed services and security provider. By combining our strengths, resources and expertise, we are poised to create a stronger and more innovative organisation, well positioned to maximise on the rising tide markets of cyber, cloud and intelligent communications.”
Daisy Corporate Services CEO Neil Thompson is set to depart the company. Approximately 2,000 employees will join Wavenet’s ranks, and over 22,000 customers will receive support.
