Security giant Sophos has entered into an agreement to acquire Astaro, a privately-held provider of network security solutions.
According to Sophos, the acquisition brings two complementary security portfolios together to deliver co-ordinated protection and policy between the endpoint and network. “By combining policy, security filtering and information known at the endpoint with the network, Sophos will be able to provide improved security and visibility along with integrated management and reporting,” the company adds.
“There are unprecedented challenges facing companies today, as it is increasingly difficult to protect users and IT infrastructure from more complex security threats, in particular those that come hand-in-hand with mobile users, new application protocols and distributed networks,” says Sophos.
In addition, the company says the acquisition answers unmet customer needs for better security co-ordination and effectiveness between users, applications and IT infrastructure.
“The combination of Astaro's comprehensive portfolio of network security solutions, alongside Sophos's endpoint, mobile and e-mail, as well as Web threat and data protection capabilities, will enable us to continue to deliver on the vision to provide complete security without complexity wherever the user and company data resides,” says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor Sophos SA.
He adds that the market for multifunction security appliances continues to grow, because businesses need more comprehensive protection against security threats and need to support their users and distributed workplaces in a comprehensive and efficient way.
According to IDC, the market for unified threat management was approximately $2 billion worldwide in 2010, with a CAGR of 13%
Astaro, with $56 million in billings and 30% year-over-year growth in 2010, is the fourth-largest dedicated unified threat management provider, and currently has more than 220 employees in nine countries, spanning three continents, including a significant presence in the EMEA region.
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