Helios Acquisition: Key Details, Impact, and What Comes Next

Snyk's acquisition of Helios marks a significant step in the cybersecurity landscape. By integrating Helios' advanced runtime data collection with Snyk's Developer Security Platform, the deal aims to enhance cloud-to-code risk visibility. This strategic move is expected to provide comprehensive application insights, benefiting global AppSec teams and addressing the complexities of modern software development.

What Is Helios?

Founded in 2021, Helios specializes in runtime data collection and insights, offering unique real-time understanding of application behavior and risk. Its core services include advanced runtime context integration, which provides a comprehensive view of application risk beyond static code analysis. Helios stands out in the market by delivering real-world perspectives on application security, enabling more accurate risk assessments and fostering collaboration between development, security, and operations teams.

Who Acquired Helios?

Snyk is a prominent player in the developer security industry, offering a developer-first platform that integrates security into the development lifecycle. Key products include Snyk Code, Snyk Open Source, Snyk Container, Snyk IaC, and Snyk AppRisk, all designed to help developers find and fix vulnerabilities. Known for its ease of use and integration capabilities, Snyk is trusted by millions of developers and is influential in promoting a security-first approach within the development process.

When Was Helios Acquired?

Snyk acquired Helios on January 16, 2024. This acquisition comes at a time when the software development industry is grappling with increased complexity and rapid development cycles, which have heightened security risks. By integrating Helios' runtime data collection capabilities, Snyk aims to enhance its Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solutions, providing comprehensive cloud-to-code risk visibility. This move aligns with industry trends towards developer-led security solutions that offer holistic insights across the entire software development lifecycle.

Why Was Helios Acquired?

• Market Expansion: Snyk's acquisition of Helios represents a strategic move to expand its market presence in the Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) space. By integrating Helios' capabilities, Snyk aims to offer a more comprehensive security service, appealing to a broader range of enterprise customers. This expansion is further evidenced by Snyk's previous acquisition of Enso Security, which added prioritization and remediation capabilities to its platform.
• Technology Integration: Snyk will integrate Helios' full-stack runtime data collection and insights with its Developer Security Platform. This integration aims to provide a comprehensive view of applications from build-time to runtime, enhancing Snyk's ability to manage security risks effectively. The combined technologies will offer customers a holistic perspective of application risk, facilitating better DevSecOps collaboration.
• Competitive Advantage: By acquiring Helios, Snyk strengthens its competitive position in the cybersecurity market. The integration of runtime data collection techniques will allow Snyk to offer a more holistic view of application behavior in production environments, addressing a significant gap where traditional AppSec vendors fall short. This unique capability provides Snyk with a competitive edge, enabling it to offer unparalleled cloud-to-code risk visibility and enhanced security prioritization.

Acquisition Terms

• Acquisition Price: The acquisition price is estimated to be several tens of millions of dollars.
• Payment Method: The deal includes both cash and stock components.
• Key Conditions or Agreements:  
  • Helios employees will join Snyk as part of the acquisition.
  • The integration aims to provide customers with a comprehensive picture of all company applications, spanning the entire software development lifecycle.
  • The acquisition is intended to address increased risk and critical security concerns associated with the rapid pace and complexity of software development.
  • Snyk will integrate Helios' end-to-end application discovery service and OpenTelemetry-based runtime data collection tools into its AppRisk service.
  • The acquisition aligns with the mutual vision and strategic fit between Snyk and Helios.

Impact on Helios

The acquisition of Helios by Snyk has led to significant changes in operations and management. The entire Helios team, including its co-founders Eli Cohen and Ran Nozik, will join Snyk, integrating their expertise into Snyk's research team. This merger aims to enhance Snyk's Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) capabilities by incorporating Helios' advanced runtime data collection and insights. The integration is expected to streamline operations and foster a collaborative environment, aligning with Snyk's broader vision for comprehensive cloud-to-code risk visibility.

In terms of product offerings, the acquisition will significantly bolster Snyk's Developer Security Platform. Helios' full-stack runtime data collection tools and end-to-end application discovery services will be integrated into Snyk's AppRisk service. This enhancement will provide customers with improved asset discovery, risk-based prioritization, and holistic visibility of their application environments. Employee reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with Helios' leadership expressing enthusiasm about the merger. Customers are also expected to benefit from the enhanced security context and comprehensive application risk visibility, addressing critical security concerns in modern software development.

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