Websense snaps up SurfControl

$400m for British web-filtering company.

US firm

Websense

has sealed a $400m cash deal to acquire British web-filtering company

SurfControl

.

The 700-pence-per-share price paid by

Websense

– 63% more than

SurfControl

‘s share price at the time of announcing it was looking for a buyer – has prompted speculation that

Websense

may not have alone in bidding for the company.

The purchase gives

Websense

a presence in the email security and hosted services markets, as well as a stronger presence in Europe and in the small and mid-sized business market, putting it in a more competitive position against large security companies such as

Symantec

,

McAfee

and

Trend Micro

.

Posted on 01 May 2007 by

Virus Bulletin