Google just cleared a major hurdle in its quest to dominate cloud security. The tech giant's $32 billion acquisition of Wiz has passed the Department of Justice's antitrust review, moving the deal closer to what would be Google's largest acquisition ever and a defining moment for enterprise security.
Google is about to make its biggest bet yet on enterprise security, and the government just gave it the green light. Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport confirmed at a Wall Street Journal event Tuesday that the company's $32 billion acquisition by Google has cleared its Department of Justice antitrust review, according to Reuters reporting.
The approval marks a pivotal moment in what's become one of tech's most dramatic acquisition sagas. Just over a year ago, Wiz shocked Silicon Valley by walking away from Google's initial $23 billion offer, with Rappaport betting his four-year-old startup could grow into something much bigger.
That gamble paid off spectacularly. When Google and Wiz revived talks in early 2025, the price tag had jumped to $32 billion - a $9 billion premium that reflects both Wiz's explosive growth and Google's desperation to catch up in cloud security.
Wiz has become the crown jewel of cloud security, protecting everything from startups to Fortune 500 companies with its AI-powered platform that scans cloud environments for vulnerabilities. The company's revenue reportedly crossed $500 million annually, making it one of the fastest-growing enterprise software companies ever.
For Google Cloud, this isn't just about buying a successful company - it's about survival in the enterprise market. While Google dominates consumer search and advertising, it's been playing catch-up to Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in the lucrative cloud infrastructure business. Security has become the deciding factor for enterprise customers choosing cloud providers.
The DOJ's approval wasn't guaranteed. Regulators have been increasingly skeptical of Big Tech acquisitions, and a $32 billion deal was always going to draw scrutiny. But unlike some of Google's previous acquisition attempts, Wiz operates in a space where Google doesn't have a dominant position, likely making the competitive concerns less severe.
"While this is a milestone, the deal still has a way to go before it officially closes," Rappaport told the Wall Street Journal audience, according to the Reuters report. The companies still need to navigate additional regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
The acquisition timeline has been aggressive from the start. Google announced the deal in March 2025, just months after revival talks began. Bloomberg first reported the antitrust review in June, setting up today's approval announcement.
If completed as expected in early 2026, the deal would instantly transform Google Cloud's security capabilities and give it a legitimate weapon against AWS and Azure. More importantly, it would validate the strategy of Israeli cybersecurity companies that have been commanding premium valuations by focusing on AI-powered enterprise solutions.
The DOJ's blessing brings Google's biggest acquisition ever within striking distance of the finish line. For Google Cloud, Wiz represents more than just another security tool - it's a $32 billion declaration that Google is serious about competing for enterprise customers. With early 2026 closure expected, we're about to see whether this massive bet can finally give Google the cloud security credibility it needs to challenge AWS and Microsoft where it matters most.
