Symantec delivers on Brightmail buy-out

Security VARs have welcomed anti-virus vendor Symantec's move to acquire anti-spam firm Brightmail in a $370m cash deal.

Brightmail already uses some Symantec anti-virus technology in its existing product line. It provides anti-spam filtering for about 1,800 large enterprises and many major ISPs.

"By joining forces with Sy-mantec, we can provide our combined base of customers around the world with the broadest messaging security solution in the industry," claimed Enrique Salem, chief executive of Brightmail, in a statement.

Although Brightmail and Symantec both use the channel as their routes to market, neither could offer any details on how they think the move will affect their channel strategies.

From a technology standpoint Symantec may want to add Brightmail's heuristic technology to its anti-virus strategy. Heuristics relies on spotting typical features and activities of spammers and malicious software writers.

Sean O'Brien, managing director of systems integrator DVV Solutions, which sells Symantec's existing line-up, said the move is an interesting one that is likely to increase sales.

"Symantec's current anti-spam solution is average. Anti-spam technology is seldom sold as a single product; more often as part of a package. This makes it easy to bring the two products to-gether in a single sale. It will certainly add value to their integrated solutions.

"Sales in this are rocketing, so it's a good long-term bet," O'Brien said.

The take-over is expected to be completed by July. No details of the new company structure will be released until then.

Last month Brightmail opened a new European head office, to provide channel, marketing and sales support for EMEA.

iain_thomson@vnu.co.uk