Alation Targets Numbers Station for AI Driven Analytics Push
Deal News | Jun 02, 2025 | EIN

The M&A landscape in May saw significant movements within the cybersecurity and AI sectors, characterized by a series of strategic acquisitions aimed at bolstering capabilities in these rapidly evolving areas. Notable transactions include Alation's purchase of Numbers Station to enhance AI-driven analytics tools and Proofpoint's dual acquisition of Hornetsecurity and Nuclei, solidifying its position within cybersecurity and digital communications governance. Zscaler also entered the fray, agreeing to acquire Red Canary to strengthen its Security Operations Center offerings through an integrated AI-driven approach. Check Point furthered its hybrid mesh security vision with the acquisition of Veriti Cybersecurity, integrating its preemptive threat exposure solutions into the Check Point Infinity Platform. Additionally, Salesforce made a major move by acquiring Informatica for $8 billion, aiming to fortify its AI-powered CRM capabilities. Lastly, Netrio expanded its cybersecurity reach in the financial sector through its acquisition of Agio, enhancing its IT delivery platform. These transactions collectively illustrate a trend of investment in AI and cybersecurity, underscoring a shift towards more integrated and automated security solutions.
Sectors
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence
- Technology
Geography
- United States – Many of the companies involved in these transactions, such as Salesforce and Proofpoint, are based in the United States, making it a central geography in this roundup.
- Europe – Proofpoint's acquisition of Hornetsecurity involves a European company, highlighting the cross-continental nature of these acquisitions.
Industry
- Cybersecurity – The article highlights several acquisitions within the cybersecurity industry, as companies strive to enhance their security offerings through innovative AI-driven approaches.
- Artificial Intelligence – AI plays a significant role in these M&A activities, with companies acquiring startups and established firms to bolster AI-driven analytics and security capabilities.
- Technology – The broader technology sector is the backdrop for these transactions, focusing on innovations in data management, security, and AI applications.
Financials
- $1 billion – The purchase price Proofpoint paid for Hornetsecurity.
- $8 billion – The equity value of Salesforce's acquisition of Informatica.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Alation | Acquirer | Company | A data intelligence company specializing in helping organizations build AI-driven analytics tools. |
Numbers Station | Target | Company | A startup building AI agents for data workflows. |
Proofpoint | Acquirer | Company | A company enhancing its cybersecurity and digital communications governance offerings through strategic acquisitions. |
Hornetsecurity | Target | Company | A cybersecurity firm with expertise in Microsoft 365 security solutions. |
Nuclei | Target | Company | A firm specializing in digital communications governance. |
Zscaler | Acquirer | Company | A cloud security vendor focusing on managed detection, response, and AI-driven security operations. |
Red Canary | Target | Company | An organization specializing in managed detection and response services. |
Check Point | Acquirer | Company | A cybersecurity solutions leader focusing on preemptive threat exposure solutions. |
Veriti Cybersecurity | Target | Company | A platform for automated, multi-vendor threat exposure and mitigation. |
Salesforce | Acquirer | Company | An AI CRM company expanding its cloud data management capabilities. |
Informatica | Target | Company | A provider of enterprise AI-powered cloud data management solutions. |
Netrio | Acquirer | Company | A provider of end-to-end cybersecurity and IT solutions for the financial services sector. |
Agio | Target | Company | A managed IT and cybersecurity provider for the financial services sector. |