WatchGuard acquires Perimeters.io to boost cloud security for MSPs
What's the deal? WatchGuard, a Seattle-based cybersecurity firm, has acquired Perimeters.io to expand its cloud security offerings for managed service providers (MSPs). The deal brings Perimeters.io's cloud detection and response technology into WatchGuard's unified security platform, resulting in a new product called CloudDR.
Why now? MSPs are under growing pressure to secure their clients' cloud environments as businesses migrate more workloads to platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and AWS. Cloud misconfiguration and identity-based attacks have surged, and most MSPs lack purpose-built tools to detect and respond to these threats at scale.
WatchGuard is betting that bundling cloud security into its existing platform — rather than forcing MSPs to bolt on yet another standalone product — will give it a competitive edge.
What could go wrong? Integration is always the hard part. WatchGuard needs to fold Perimeters.io's technology seamlessly into its platform without disrupting existing MSP workflows. If the onboarding is clunky or the product underperforms against dedicated cloud-native security tools, MSPs may look elsewhere.
The cloud security market is also fiercely competitive, with major players like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft itself all vying for MSP dollars.
The signal: This acquisition reflects a broader trend of cybersecurity vendors consolidating point solutions into unified platforms — especially for the MSP channel, which increasingly demands simplicity alongside depth. As cloud adoption accelerates across small and mid-sized businesses, expect more acquisitions aimed at filling cloud security gaps in MSP-focused portfolios.
Read more: AP News
