By integrating Arco Cyber’s assurance platform with Agentic AI, Sophos aims to provide CISO-level leadership as a service to the 99% of organizations currently operating without a dedicated security chief.
In a move that shifts the focus from simple threat detection to long-term governance, Sophos has announced the acquisition of UK-based Arco Cyber. The deal is the cornerstone of a new strategic initiative: Sophos CISO Advantage.
The acquisition addresses a staggering global disparity: while there are over 359 million organizations worldwide, fewer than 32,000 actually employ a Chief Information Security Officer. By combining Arco’s proof-based assurance technology with Sophos’s new Agentic AI capabilities, the company plans to democratize high-level security strategy for businesses of all sizes.
The Advantage doesn’t just come from software; it comes from AI Agents that act as digital staff members. Unlike standard bots, these agents possess the judgment to prioritize risks and validate controls.
- Triage Agents: Automatically filter noise and identify legitimate threats vs. benign testing.
- Investigation Agents: Build behavioral timelines and generate dynamic response plans.
- Arco Assurance Engine: Continuously validates if security controls are actually working, rather than just assuming they are because a tool is on.
For years, the industry has measured success by the number of alerts blocked. Arco Cyber changes the metric to accountability and proof. Their platform follows a four-step process that will now be integrated into Sophos Central:
“There is no shortage of exemplary security technology. What’s missing is the ability to govern those tools and understand if controls are actually working. Arco gives customers a stronger foundation for managing cyber risk with confidence.” — Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos.
A critical pillar of this acquisition is the role of MSPs (Managed Service Providers). Sophos is equipping its partners to move from technical operators to strategic advisors.
For organizations that cannot afford a full-time CISO, their MSP can now provide CISO-level leadership using the Sophos CISO Advantage platform, delivering the same level of oversight and reporting found in Fortune 500 companies.
