Google’s acquisition of Wiz has the potential to reshape the competitive landscape of cloud security, but the reaction from enterprise tech buyers is anything but straightforward. ETR polled Wiz users to gauge their sentiment towards the vendor’s products and reactions to its intended acquisition by Google. In a previous article, we looked into the $32B deal, breaking down what respondents thought about it. This week, we uncover both the anticipated advantages and the perceived threats tied to the acquisition.

Optimism Rooted in Strategic Benefits

Survey respondents see several compelling advantages:

• Enhanced GCP integration, offering more seamless security alignment and product-level convergence.
• Stronger innovation engine, fueled by Google's R&D budgets and AI capabilities.
• Cost optimization, driven by bundling and tighter operational alignment with Google Cloud.
• Elevated brand strength, with Wiz benefiting from Google’s market credibility and global footprint.

For companies already leveraging Google Cloud, these improvements could unlock significant value and simplify cloud-native security operations.

But Concerns Run Deep

The survey also exposed wide-ranging skepticism—especially among companies that value Wiz’s platform neutrality and independent innovation. Specific concerns include:

• Loss of multi-cloud support: 51% of respondents said they would reduce or stop using Wiz in non-Google environments if integration deepens.
• Agent-based security model risks: Nearly 40% would significantly reduce or stop using Wiz if it shifts away from its current agentless architecture.
• Data privacy anxiety: Only 11% of users are fully comfortable with Google accessing security data from non-GCP environments.
• Compliance and separation expectations: A striking 90% say strong data separation across clouds is “important” or “extremely important” post-acquisition.
  

The Road Ahead: A Balancing Act

Google faces a delicate challenge. To win user loyalty, it must enhance Wiz’s capabilities without compromising the attributes that made it a favorite: independence, flexibility, and rapid innovation. With only 46% of users expressing confidence in Google’s ability to retain Wiz’s core features, the stakes are high.

The ultimate outcome will hinge on execution: Can Google deliver tighter GCP integration and cost savings without alienating Wiz’s non-Google user base? For now, the market is in wait-and-see mode and Google would be wise to listen closely.

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