Cisco Systems is beefing up its security portfolio to better address advanced persistent threats with the $2.7 billion acquisition of Sourcefire – a move that at least one analyst thinks could kick off a wave of consolidation in the cybersecurity space.
One point about the deal worth noting is the fact that Cisco is looking to position itself for the next generation of enterprise IT, which faces a more complex threat landscape than it ever has in the past. While Sourcefire started out as an intrusion detection/intrusion prevention company, it has expanded far beyond those roots, adding next-generation firewall and advanced malware protection to the portfolio, along with tools for cloud and mobile security. And it’s Sourcefire’s expertise in the borderless, always-connected, cloud-enabled enterprise that will help Cisco fill in the gaps in its more traditional security portfolio, the companies said.
“The notion of the ‘perimeter’ no longer exists and today’s sophisticated threats are able to circumvent traditional, disparate security products. Organizations require continuous and pervasive advanced threat protection that addresses each phase of the attack continuum,” said Christopher Young, senior vice president of Cisco’s security group, in a statement.
SOURCE: infosecurity-us.com
