HP Acquires Bromium

HP acquired Bromium, an endpoint security start-up that uses virtualization to isolate browser-based attacks, malicious downloads and applications, and email attachments on September 19, 2019. Currently, HP licenses Bromium’s technology to power its Sure Click malware protection; however, the plan is for Bromium to become part of HP’s broader platform to secure endpoint devices.

In response to the acquisition, Andy Rhodes, general manager and global head of Commercial Systems at HP, said in a press release, “Security is a key competitive differentiator for HP, providing the most secure PCs and printers on the market. The acquisition of Bromium extends our investments, leadership and focus in this space and securing end point devices that are on the front lines of defense against cyber security attacks.”

Our Take

With HP prioritizing security in endpoints, it supports its agenda to be better equipped to compete against big players such as Microsoft. Using Bromium’s technology (which it has been using for years) and making headlines in the acquisition, HP moves to corner the market in providing a unique piece of software that, at the present time, no other company offers.

It will be interesting to see how HP will integrate and mature the technology into its current endpoints. Other questions arise: Will further cybersecurity vendor partnerships come as a result to gain access to this solution?Will HP add data privacy and compliance as a focus to its roadmap? Very little information has come out of the acquisition (i.e. cost of acquisition, number of Bromium employees kept), so we’ll have to sit tight and be patient until the next press release.