Report: Websense mooting sale

The web filtering vendor has appointed Qatalyst Partners to explore sale options, according to WSJ report

Websense has hired an investment bank to help it explore the possibility of a sale, according to reports.

A rash of M&A has swept through the security industry in recent months with McAfee and ArcSight among those to have been snapped up by larger players (Intel and HP respectively).

But a Wall Street Journal article has pinpointed web filtering specialist Websense as the latest candidate for consolidation.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper claimed that Websense has appointed investment bank Qatalyst Partners to explore the possibility of a sale. It is thought that the NASDAQ-listed firm could fetch $1bn (£619m) and may decide against a sale if offers fall below expectations.

Other security companies, as well as private equity firms, could be among the interested parties, the article asserted.

It is not the first time that Websense has been portrayed as a possible acquisition target in the media after chief executive Gene Hodges told Reuters last August that he is open to a takeover offer for the firm.

In its most recent quarter, Websense generated an operating profit of $7.7m on revenue that rose 8.4 per cent year-on-year to $86.4m.

Websense is remaining tight-lipped, saying it "does not comment on rumour or speculation".