Mastercard just announced that it was acquiring global threat intelligence company Recorded Future from Insight Partners for $2.65 billion. Recorded Future has more than 1,900 clients across 75 countries. That includes governments of 45 countries and half the Fortune 100.

Recorded Future "provides real-time visibility into potential threats by analyzing a broad set of data sources to provide insights that enable its customers to take action to mitigate risks." This will add to Mastercard's identity, fraud prevention, real-time decision-making, and cybersecurity services. Both companies claim to use artificial intelligence — without explaining exactly what they mean by it, as there are many types of AI technologies. But the point is that they make use of advanced technologies to ensure security.

This is important because companies of all types frequently assume that security happens internally, perhaps with the assistance of a cybersecurity consultancy. But modern digital business isn't an older model of a self-contained company that acts like a closed box. Other companies selling products or services might get to the door, drop off what the first company wants, and drive off. There are inevitably many forms of interaction that take place digitally.