The News: To address the challenges in networking and security within the context of distributed applications, virtual machines, containers, and cloud assets, Isovalent introduces extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) as an open source technology that allows sophisticated software programs to program the kernel without changing the core operating system. This functionality provides powerful security, observability, and networking capabilities at the kernel level. Cisco’s investment in Isovalent and its collaboration on projects such as Cilium and Tetragon aim to address visibility and security challenges in multi-cloud environments, focusing on Cisco Security Cloud as an integrated platform. I anticipate Cisco acquiring Isovalent and expressing excitement about driving the next generation of cloud networking and security innovation based on open source technology. You can read more in the press release on the Cisco website.
Cisco Makes a Strategic Move in Acquiring Isovalent
Analyst Take: In a move that continues to drive toward its commitment to innovation in cloud-native networking and security, Cisco has announced its intention to acquire Isovalent, Inc., a pioneering force in open source technologies. This strategic collaboration between Cisco and Isovalent aims to pioneer leading-edge protection for every workload across diverse cloud environments.
The cornerstone of this acquisition is Cisco’s dedication to nurturing and investing in emerging technologies, particularly in eBPF, Cilium, Tetragon, and other cloud-native open source communities. By joining forces with Isovalent, Cisco is poised to expand its capabilities in providing advanced security solutions tailored to the evolving landscape of multi-cloud environments.
One of the key focal points of this collaboration is integrating Isovalent’s expertise with Cisco’s Security Cloud vision. The Cisco Security Cloud is an AI-driven, cloud-delivered, integrated security platform designed to cater to organizations of varying sizes and structures. This platform empowers customers to abstract security controls from multi-cloud infrastructure, offering advanced protection against emerging threats across any cloud, application, or workload.
eBPF, an open source technology at the heart of this collaboration, is pivotal in unlocking new possibilities. Cisco’s commitment to investing in and contributing to eBPF demonstrates its recognition of the transformative potential of this technology. By allowing sophisticated software programs to program the kernel without altering the core operating system, eBPF offers unparalleled power in terms of security, observability, and networking at the kernel level.
The acquisition of Isovalent brings a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of distributed applications, virtual machines, containers, and cloud assets. This expertise is especially crucial in an era where applications often lack visibility into the underlying infrastructure, creating gaps in both security and observability. Isovalent’s solutions, such as Cilium and Tetragon, have gained significant traction for providing visibility into the behavior and communication of cloud-native applications, alongside the ability to define software-defined network policies seamlessly.
Cilium, mainly, has seen high adoption among hyper scalers and cloud providers due to its unparalleled visibility and capacity to define policies for software-defined networks. Isovalent’s innovative additions, including Cilium Mesh for connecting Kubernetes clusters and Tetragon for robust security controls, further enhance the capabilities of the collaborative effort.
Looking ahead, Cisco envisions a future where its Security Cloud becomes a linchpin for addressing visibility and security challenges in multi-cloud environments. By enabling organizations to define and enforce policies from a single, cloud-delivered console across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, Cisco aims to simplify operational complexity for its customers.
The commitment to open source projects such as Cilium and Tetragon is a testament to Cisco’s dedication to fostering collaborative efforts within the open source community. The company plans to create an independent advisory board to guide its contributions to these projects in alignment with the community’s needs. This approach emphasizes the importance of community-driven innovation and ensures that the resulting technologies meet the evolving demands of the broader ecosystem.
Acquiring Isovalent is about bringing together two entities and envisioning and creating the next generation of cloud networking and security solutions. Cisco and Isovalent, with their combined expertise, seek to deliver unique multi-cloud security and networking capabilities that seamlessly span from branch offices to data centers and public clouds, creating a continuous mesh of secure networking.
Cisco’s strategic move to acquire Isovalent reflects a forward-looking approach to the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of cloud networking and security. This collaboration not only strengthens Cisco’s position in the market but also signifies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation within the open source community. As the acquisition progresses, the industry eagerly anticipates realizing the shared vision for the future of multi-cloud networking and security.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
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With over 25 years of experience, Paul has a proven track record in implementing effective go-to-market strategies, including the identification of new market channels, the growth and cultivation of partner ecosystems, and the successful execution of strategic plans resulting in positive business outcomes for his clients.
