LevelBlue, a global provider of managed security services, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cybereason, a cybersecurity firm known for its advanced Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, elite threat intelligence team, and digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) capabilities. This acquisition aims to deliver stronger threat detection, faster response, and broader global coverage to clients and strategic partners from a unified security provider.
By integrating LevelBlue’s AI-powered capabilities and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) offerings with Cybereason’s expertise, the combined entity seeks to help organizations address complex cyber challenges, while reducing operational complexity and risk. Bob McCullen, CEO and Chairman of LevelBlue, stated that the acquisition represents a strategic advancement in their mission to become a complete cybersecurity partner, providing unified protection designed for evolving threats.
As part of the transaction, SoftBank Corp., SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Liberty Strategic Capital will become investors in LevelBlue. Additionally, Steven T. Mnuchin, former U.
S. Treasury Secretary and Managing Partner of Liberty Strategic Capital, will join LevelBlue’s Board of Directors. Mnuchin emphasized the link between cybersecurity and economic security, noting LevelBlue’s leadership in integrated managed security services.
This acquisition is intended to enhance LevelBlue’s ability to provide measurable, outcome-driven results, aiming to accelerate threat detection, reduce response times, and build long-term cyber resilience for clients. It aligns with LevelBlue’s strategy to consolidate cybersecurity organizations, technologies, and talent, following previous acquisitions of Trustwave and Stroz Friedberg. Manish Narula, CEO of Cybereason, commented that joining LevelBlue strengthens collective capabilities across XDR, MDR, offensive security, DFIR, and cybersecurity consulting services, which is expected to benefit clients globally.
The integration is expected to deliver several enhancements, including stronger endpoint security through the combination of Cybereason’s XDR with LevelBlue’s MDR, aiming for faster and more accurate threat detection and response. The addition of Cybereason’s DFIR services, alongside Stroz Friedberg, is anticipated to extend LevelBlue’s capacity and global reach, providing extensive coverage and technology-agnostic forensic expertise.
Furthermore, the unification of Cybereason’s research team with LevelBlue SpiderLabs is intended to offer clients deeper visibility into emerging threat actors and attack techniques. LevelBlue also aims to provide end-to-end security, encompassing penetration testing, risk assessments, detection engineering, and constant monitoring. The company plans to support technology-agnostic integration, optimizing clients’ existing security investments across various platforms. The acquisition also expands LevelBlue’s global footprint, leveraging Cybereason’s significant presence in Japan.
Shawn Hakl, Senior Vice President of AT&T Business Product and LevelBlue Board Member, noted that Cybereason’s XDR and digital forensics capabilities would enhance customer service through deeper threat visibility and faster response. LevelBlue aims to combine platform-led services, human expertise, and global insights to deliver measurable outcomes and resilience for organizations ranging from mid-market enterprises to complex public and private entities.
Advisors on the transaction included Santander and Kirkland & Ellis LLP for LevelBlue, and J.
P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goodwin Procter LLP for Cybereason. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial details were not disclosed.
