Cyber Firm Ventris Acquired by Hex-Rays for $30 Million
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Cybersecurity firm Ventris has been acquired by Hex-Rays for approximately $30 million, integrating Ventris's AI-driven security research technology. The acquisition includes expanding Hex-Rays' operations in Israel and retaining all six Ventris employees, with plans for further hiring. Ventris's system allows researchers to manage and verify AI agent performance for security analysis. This deal marks a significant expansion for both companies in the cybersecurity sector.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Cybersecurity firm Ventris was acquired by Hex-Rays for approximately $30 million.
- Hex-Rays, developer of IDA Pro, will integrate Ventris's AI security research technology.
- The acquisition includes expanding Hex-Rays' operations in Israel.
- All six Ventris employees will continue with the company post-acquisition.
- Ventris's technology aids security researchers in analyzing software and detecting vulnerabilities using AI agents.
- The system developed by Ventris is already used by government and business clients.
Cybersecurity firm Ventris has been acquired by Hex-Rays, the developer of IDA Pro, for approximately $30 million. IDA Pro is a tool used by security researchers to analyze software without needing source code access. The acquisition will see Hex-Rays integrate Ventris's technology into its operations and invest in expanding its activity center in Israel. All six current Ventris employees will remain with the company, with plans for future hiring of vulnerability researchers and additional developers.
Ventris was founded by Galiksberg, who previously served in Unit 8200, after identifying difficulties in using AI agents for security research. Amit Shandel, also an alumnus of Unit 8200, joined as CTO. Their system allows researchers to assign tasks to AI agents, measure their performance, and verify findings, aiding in the detection of security vulnerabilities, malware, and backdoors, even on air-gapped networks. The company states its system is already used by government and business clients in Israel and globally.
Galiksberg explained that while generic AI agents can be costly and unreliable, their system enables researchers to define agent operations, review results, and improve them. For Hex-Rays, this acquisition broadens its offerings from software analysis tools to AI-driven security research management. For Ventris, it provides the resources for team and development expansion after its first year of operation without external investment.
