Check Point boosts growth plans with acquisition of Protect Data
The security giant has bought firm to enable it to embedd automatic data encryption in its portfolio
Security giant Check Point has taken the next step in its aggressive growth strategy with the acquisition of Protect Data, the owner of end-point security vendor Pointsec Mobile Technologies.
Check Point made a $586m offer for the firm, which specialises in automatic data encryption software.
The offer has been welcomed by Protect Data’s board of directors and is supported by Monterro Holding, Protect Data’s largest shareholder. If the acquisition goes through, it is expected to be completed before Christmas.
The acquisition will allow Check Point to initiate the next phase of its planned strategy, which is the addition of a data security solution layer to its NGX platform.
Gil Shwed, chief executive of Check Point, said: “With businesses facing increasingly severe consequences from data breaches and stricter regulation, it is apparent that protection must extend beyond the infrastructure to the data itself.
“With Pointsec’s data security solutions, Check Point can provide end-users with information security that will complement our unified network security architecture.”
Shwed added that the acquisition will also result in new market opportunities for its channel partners.
Peter Larsson, chief executive of Protect Data, said: “Check Point’s industry and channel leadership will allow Pointsec to accelerate its innovation while reaching a global market of partners and customers.”
Dave Ellis, director of e-security at Check Point distributor Computerlinks, welcomed the acquisition.
“This seems a logical move in terms of what Check Point is doing in the end-point market,” he said. “From what I gather, Pointsec doesn’t actually go through distribution, so it will be interesting to see how the technology is going to fit into Check Point’s portfolio. But it is a really good move for it.
“This market is starting to take off and it is good to see Check Point being aggressive and taking the lead in terms of acquisition.” C
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