Vistorm has been acquired by services giant EDS for an undisclosed sum.

The information assurance and managed security services behemoth will operate as a separate entity within EDS and will retain its existing management team.

Speculation surrounding a sale of Vistorm has been circulating the channel for nearly a year (CRN, 14 May 2007), but at the time the security VAR remained tight lipped over the rumours.

EDS has revealed it will combine its existing capabilities in IT security into the Vistorm entity, creating an organisation with around 400 security specialists across EMEA.

Bill Thomas, executive vice president of EDS EMEA said: “The IT security market is a strategic priority area for EDS globally and the strong information security expertise of Vistorm reinforces EDS’ existing capabilities in this critical and growing area.

“The combination of Vistorm’s industry-leading IT security portfolio of products and deep understanding of technology needs in security – together with EDS’ global resources and demonstrated strengths in managing complex infrastructure and applications securely – will provide unmatched, end-to-end security solutions for our clients,” he added.

Jim Kent, chief executive of Vistorm, said: “We are delighted to be joining with EDS to become part of a global IT services leader. The combination will enable Vistorm to benefit from EDS’ strong security and privacy capabilities, grow our client base and expand into new industries and markets. We will roll out our Information Assurance tools, IP, and capability globally while continuing to stay focused on being a specialist-service provider to our existing UK clients in a very important marketplace.”