Enterprise security firm Blue Coat Systems, Inc. has acquired data science-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) app/cloud security firm Elastica, Inc. for $280 million.

Founded in 2012, Elastica claims to be the leader in data science-powered cloud application security with services through its Elastica CloudSOC platform allowing clients to leverage cloud and SaaS applications while staying “safe, secure and compliant.”

The core platform is said to enable a full life cycle of visibility and security for cloud and SaaS applications being used by a company, combined with an audit app that uncovers shadow IT and highlights risks caused by cloud apps used by employees.

Elastica is particularly focused on machine learning, with its Detect App utilizing this functionality to detect intrusions and threats in cloud apps, and its Protect App providing a defense against intrusions and compliance violations in cloud apps.

Its Investigate App enables post-incident investigations on historic account activity on cloud apps for enterprise IT compliance, detection, and security.

“This acquisition gives Blue Coat customers access to Elastica’s CloudSOC, which brings an unprecedented level of elegance and innovation to something that is rapidly becoming a complex challenge for organizations to solve,” Blue Coat Chief Executive Officer Greg Clark said in a statement sent to SiliconANGLE. “As we evaluated many CASB (cloud access security broker) players, it was clear that Elastica’s technologies represent the future of the CASB space.”

“Segmented CASB players have survived through their dependency upon existing on-premise infrastructure. As the industry’s leading web security platform, it is natural for Blue Coat to be the first to deliver an extended spectrum of CASB capabilities while also delivering them with our cloud protection solutions,” Clark continued.

Blue Coat added that the Elastica CloudSOC will fortify their already strong cloud capabilities through their Security Platform with five solutions that work equally well across on-premise and cloud managed environments:

• Advanced web and cloud security
• Encrypted traffic management
• Advanced threat protection
• Incident response and network forensics
• Network performance optimization

Prior to acquisition, Elastica had raised $36.3 million over two rounds from investors including Mayfield Fund, Pelion Venture Partners, and Third Point Ventures.

Blue Coat itself was acquired back in March this year for $2.4 billion.

Image credit: Elastica.