InterQuad buys into security distribution

In an attempt to expand its security offering, InterQuad has acquired the business of specialist security distributor Secure XL for an undisclosed sum.

In an attempt to expand its security offering, InterQuad has acquired the business of specialist security distributor Secure XL for an undisclosed sum.

Sean Fane, general manager at InterQuad, said: "We had a shortage of skills in the security sector and the acquisition of Secure XL allowed us to gain competent sales and technical staff and a good vendor relationship much more quickly than we normally could."

Fane said the ebusiness supplier had to fill gaps in its portfolio because of people's internet security fears.

The acquisition of an established security distributor has enabled the company to offer its reseller partners a full suite of ebusiness products. "There are still some gaps to fill, but we are currently in active discussions with other security vendors," he said.

Fane admitted there had been a number of staff changes, which he attributed to disillusionment with the previous management. However, he said that there had been no redundancies as a result of the takeover.

Alex Tatham, commercial director of Ideal Hardware, endorsed the move by his rival distributor. "Security is absolutely critical in any suite of products because most companies have strict security policies. Any company that does not have these policies is at high risk," he said.

Matthew West, IT security specialist at security vendor Norman Security Defence Systems, said: "I believe that we are starting to see security becoming a buzzword. Any distributor that does not have a strong security offering should plug that gap."