Zscaler Acquires Red Canary to Advance AI-Driven Security and Managed Detection Capabilities

Zscaler Acquires Red Canary to Enhance AI-Driven Security Operations

Zscaler announced its plan to acquire Red Canary, a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) specialist, to strengthen its AI, automation, and human expertise in cybersecurity. This move combines Zscaler’s AI-focused cloud security platform with Red Canary’s operational experience in threat detection and response.

The acquisition highlights the integration of large-scale data intelligence and automated Security Operations Centers (SOCs) with advanced threat research through Zscaler’s ThreatLabz division. Jay Chaudhry, CEO and founder of Zscaler, described this as a step toward creating an AI-powered SOC that delivers a fully integrated Zero Trust platform and enhanced security operations.

Red Canary’s Expertise and Value

Red Canary brings over ten years of MDR and security operations experience, focusing on fast and accurate threat detection. Its solution reduces investigation times by up to ten times and maintains a 99.6% accuracy rate across numerous customers. Zscaler complements this with its extensive scale, protecting nearly 45% of Fortune 500 companies and processing over 500 billion transactions daily.

Benefits of the Integration

By joining forces, Red Canary will gain access to Zscaler’s vast security data, including information from the Zero Trust Exchange and exposure management systems. This will improve the speed and accuracy of threat detection by combining insights from endpoints, networks, cloud workloads, and identity systems.

Brian Beyer, CEO and co-founder of Red Canary, emphasized the advantage of accessing Zscaler’s daily data and threat intelligence to enhance detection capabilities significantly.

Industry Trend Toward Consolidation

This acquisition fits a larger pattern of consolidation in cybersecurity, driven by the need to centralize data, automate threat detection and response, and address talent shortages using AI. Recent deals include Proofpoint’s $1 billion purchase of Hornetsecurity and Google’s $32 billion plan to acquire cloud security startup Wiz. Palo Alto Networks has also announced intentions to acquire AI-focused Protect AI.

The terms of the Zscaler-Red Canary deal were not disclosed. It is subject to regulatory approval and expected to close by August 2025.

For professionals in operations looking to deepen their understanding of AI in cybersecurity, exploring courses on AI automation and security tools can provide practical skills to adapt to these changes. Resources like Complete AI Training's automation courses offer valuable insights into leveraging AI-driven security technologies.