WatchGuard buys Perimeters.io in cloud security push
Mon, 11th May 2026 (Today)
WatchGuard Technologies has acquired cloud application security provider Perimeters.io alongside the launch of WatchGuard Cloud Detection and Response for managed service providers.
Terms were not disclosed. The new service, which uses Perimeters.io technology, is available immediately through a multi-tenant platform designed for MSP operations.
The deal expands WatchGuard's security offering beyond endpoint and network protection into cloud applications, where service providers are under pressure to monitor identity threats and cloud misuse across multiple customer environments.
At launch, WatchGuard CloudDR supports more than 40 applications, including Microsoft 365, OpenAI, Salesforce, Google Workspace, HubSpot, ConnectWise and Jira.
The service is designed to give MSPs visibility into cloud environments, detect threats and automate response from one platform. It also addresses cloud security misconfigurations and risks linked to unauthorised use of AI and other software tools.
Managed service providers have become a key route to market for cyber security vendors as businesses shift more operations to cloud software and rely on external partners to oversee IT estates. That has increased demand for tools that can be used across multiple customers without adding operational burden.
Joe Smolarski, chief executive officer of WatchGuard Technologies, said MSPs had been asking for cloud security tools designed for their business model rather than adapted from products built for large enterprises.
"MSPs are telling us they need cloud security now. Not in a year and not bolted onto enterprise tools that don't fit their business," Smolarski said.
"By acquiring Perimeters.io, we're delivering cloud detection and response that is built for MSPs: scalable by design, affordable to offer, and aligned with how MSPs actually work."
Channel strategy
The acquisition brings Perimeters.io's cloud application security technology into WatchGuard's existing MSP-focused product set. WatchGuard already sells network, endpoint and identity security products through service providers and channel partners.
Perimeters.io had developed tools for cloud application security but had more limited market reach. WatchGuard presented the combination as a way to put that technology in front of its established MSP customer base.
The deal also reflects a broader shift in cyber security spending towards identity and software-as-a-service protection. As organisations adopt more third-party applications, security teams and service providers are being asked to track user activity, risky configurations and application access across a wider range of systems.
Neil Holme, founder and chief executive officer of Impact Business Technology, a WatchGuard partner, said service providers were struggling with disconnected products.
"MSPs are struggling with fragmented tools that only solve pieces of the cloud security problem," Holme said.
"There's a real need for something that brings visibility and response together in one place. WatchGuard CloudDR does exactly that."
Cloud focus
The new service is intended to help partners make cloud security part of their standard managed offerings. In practice, that means using one system across customer estates rather than deploying separate tools for endpoint, network and cloud application monitoring.
WatchGuard described the product as an identity threat detection and response tool for cloud applications, with the added ability to identify misconfigurations and monitor the use of unsanctioned AI and IT tools. Those concerns have become more prominent as businesses adopt generative AI services and connect a growing number of third-party applications to core systems.
Yaniv Hen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Perimeters, said the tie-up would help the technology reach a larger base of service providers.
"Perimeters was built to solve some of the hardest problems in cloud security," Hen said.
"WatchGuard brings the MSP focus, platform depth, and scale needed to turn that innovation into real-world impact."