IBM’s (NYSE:IBM), professional services and consulting arm, IBM Consulting, and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) have joined hands to provide better cybersecurity solutions. Both companies aim to simplify and modernize security operations for their clients. Moreover, the alliance will focus on securing identities within hybrid cloud environments.
Under the deal, IBM Consulting’s security software will be combined with MSFT’s security technology portfolio. Together, the companies will offer a unified solution for the detection and prevention of threats. They also aim to use AI to automate security tasks, detect anomalies faster, and enhance overall threat response times.
This news comes amid increasing demand for strong cloud security solutions as more firms move workloads to the cloud, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. IBM and MSFT’s expertise positions them to provide a compelling solution for these security challenges.
Is IBM a Buy, Hold, or Sell?
With six Buy, seven Hold, and two Sell recommendations, IBM has a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The analysts’ average price target for IBM stock of $183.87 implies 5.01% upside potential over the next 12 months. Shares of the company have gained by about 9.1% so far this year.
Is Microsoft a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Overall, MSFT has a Strong Buy consensus rating on TipRanks based on 32 Buy and one Hold recommendations. The analysts’ average price target on Microsoft stock of $500.55 implies about 9.59% upside potential. Year-to-date, shares have gained 21.9%.
