Cyber Acquisitions #1 - Armis x OTORIO, ForcePoint x GetVisibility, CyberGuru x Mantra SAS - Niche is King (Right Now)

The cybersecurity industry is undergoing rapid consolidation as established companies expand their capabilities through strategic acquisitions rather than internal development. Three major acquisitions in March 2025 highlight key trends: the growing importance of securing operational technology, the central role of AI in data security, and the continued significance of the human element in cybersecurity defense.

• Armis acquired Otorio on March 6, 2025, enhancing its ability to secure air-gapped industrial networks in energy, manufacturing, and utilities sectors
• The acquisition integrates Otorio's OT security expertise into Armis' Centrix platform, providing comprehensive visibility across IT and OT environments
• Forcepoint's acquisition of GetVisibility on March 11 strengthens its AI-driven data discovery and classification capabilities
• GetVisibility's DSPM solutions help protect sensitive data across endpoints, cloud applications, and generative AI platforms
• Italian provider CyberGuru acquired French startup Mantra SAS on March 13, combining their security awareness training platforms
• The merged entity will serve over 1,000 organizations globally, reaching approximately 1.5 million users
• These acquisitions reflect an industry-wide shift toward more integrated, comprehensive security solutions
• Companies are positioning themselves strategically to address multiple aspects of the modern threat landscape

Tune into Cybernomics with me, Josh Bruning, every Wednesday morning at 7 Eastern for in-depth conversations about the hidden costs of cybersecurity.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The cybersecurity industry experienced significant
consolidation in March 2025,with three strategic
acquisitions, highlighting thesector's rapid evolution and
focus on comprehensive securitysolutions.
These deals demonstrate howestablished companies are
expanding their capabilitiesthrough targeted acquisitions

(00:21):
rather than internal development, allowing them to quickly adapt
to emerging threats andchanging market demands.
Armis, a cybersecurity unicornknown for its cyber exposure
management platform, made itsthird acquisition in less than a
year by purchasing Otorio onMarch 6, 2025.

(00:42):
Otorio, founded in 2018,specializes in operational
technology, or OT, andcyber-physical system security.
Through its Titan platform.
This strategic move allowsArmis to integrate Otorio's
technology into its Centrixplatform, specifically
addressing the critical need forsecuring air-gapped industry

(01:05):
networks in sectors like energy,manufacturing and utilities.
The acquisition strengthensArmis' position in industrial
security by providingcomprehensive visibility and
zero-trust protection acrossboth IT and OT environments,
laying important groundwork foran anticipated IPO.

(01:27):
Forcepoint's acquisition ofGetVisibility on March 11
represents another significantindustry move.
The multi-million euro dealbuilds upon the existing
partnership between thecompanies, with GetVisibility's
AI-driven data discovery andclassification technology

(01:49):
already integrated intoForcepoint's platform Based in
Cork, Ireland.
Getvisibility's expertise indata security, posture
management, or DSPM solutions,enhances Forcepoint's ability to
protect sensitive data acrossmultiple environments, including
endpoints, cloud applicationsand generative AI platforms.

(02:11):
This acquisition transformsdata security from a mere
compliance requirement into astrategic advantage for
enterprise and governmentcustomers.
The third major acquisition cameon March 13th, when Italian
cybersecurity awareness trainingprovider, CyberGuru acquired
French startup Mantra SAS.

(02:33):
Cyberguru, which serves over700 organizations with automated
learning platforms, benefitsfrom Mantra's specialized
expertise in employee securityawareness.
They also specialize inphishing simulations and
real-time cyber defense training.

(02:54):
The combined entity will servemore than 1,000 organizations
globally, reaching over 1.5million users.
Mantra's platform, whichintegrates interactive training
with realistic phishing attacksimulations, will be
incorporated into CyberGuru'sexisting services.
This acquisition not onlyexpands CyberGuru's

(03:18):
international presence,particularly in the French
market, but also strengthens itsleadership team, with the
addition of Mantra's co-founders.
These acquisitions reflectseveral key industry trends.
First, there's growingrecognition of the need to
secure operational technologyand industrial systems, as

(03:41):
demonstrated by the Armis-Otoriodeal.
Second, artificial intelligenceis becoming increasingly
central to data security andrisk management, as shown by
Forcepoint's acquisition ofGetVisibility.
Third, the human element ofcybersecurity remains crucial,
with CyberGuru's acquisition ofMantra focusing on improving

(04:04):
user resilience against phishingand social engineering attacks.
The timing and nature of theseacquisitions suggest an
accelerating pace ofconsolidation in the
cybersecurity industry.
Companies are strategicallypositioning themselves to offer
more comprehensive securitysolutions that address multiple

(04:26):
aspects of the modern threatlandscape.
This trend reflects theindustry's recognition that
effective cybersecurity requiresa multifaceted approach
combining technologicalsolutions with human awareness
and training.
As cyber threats continue toevolve and become more
sophisticated, this pattern ofstrategic acquisitions is likely

(04:50):
to continue reshaping thecompetitive landscape of the
cybersecurity sector.
The flurry of M&A activity inearly March 2025 demonstrates
how cybersecurity firms areactively acquiring niche players
to broaden their capabilitiesacross different security
domains, Whether it's securingindustrial systems, protecting

(05:14):
sensitive data with AI orstrengthening the human element
of security.
These acquisitions underscorethe industry's drive to provide
more integrated and robustcybersecurity solutions in
response to evolving threats.
Tune into Cybernomics with me,Josh Bruning, every Wednesday
morning at 7 Eastern forin-depth conversations about the

(05:37):
hidden costs of cybersecurity.
Thanks for listening.
Bye.