Is HP eyeing up ArcSight?

Wall Street Journal report suggests HP is close to reaching deal with security and compliance management specialist

Eyes right: HP is thought to be preparing a bid for ArcSight

HP’s acquisition spree shows no sign of slowing, with reports over the weekend linking the hardware giant to security vendor ArcSight.

According to the Wall Street Journal, HP is preparing to buy the security and compliance management specialist for about $1.5bn (£970m), although both parties have so far refused to comment.

The revelation comes shortly after HP won its tug-of-war with Dell to buy storage outfit 3Par.

HP was rumoured to have been in talks with McAfee before the security giant was snapped up by Intel last month.

ArcSight is a much smaller and more specialised outfit with revenue of $181m, but any deal would still speak to HP’s desire to bolster its security capabilities. The supposed $1.5m price would represent a 23 per cent premium on ArcSight's share price, which spiked sharply in late August amid speculation the firm was up for sale.