Vigil cheers M86 acquisition

Purchase by Trustwave will benefit partners, claims distributor

M86 Security's purchase by Trustwave has been hailed as positive news for the channel by Vigil Software, which works with both vendors.

Cloud-based compliance and security vendor Trustwave yesterday inked a definitive agreement to acquire M86, catapulting it into the $1.7bn (£1bn) web security market. The deal, which is expected to close in two weeks' time, will expand Chicago-based Trustwave's presence in EMEA.

Trustwave has also committed to adopting and expanding M86's Partner Focus partner programme.

Long-time M86 distributor Vigil coincidentally signed a deal to carry Trustwave in the UK just before news of the acquisition broke.

Vigil director Murray Pearce (pictured) claimed the duo were a good fit, with Trustwave's focus on SEIM, web application firewalls and NAC complementing M86's strength in web and email security.

"It is a positive development for us and the channel," he said. "It increases the opportunity we have to work with both vendors and I can see huge synergies in the product portfolio and strengths of what they both do."

According to IDC, the value of the global web security market will almost double from $1.7bn to $3bn between 2010 and 2015.

Trustwave chief executive Robert McCullen said: "By acquiring M86 Security, Trustwave is adding web security to one of the industry's most comprehensive security product portfolios – including our compliance, application, network and data security solutions."

Trustwave said it would add the M86 Secure Web Gateway to its broader managed services portfolio. It also plans to integrate the firm's products into its cloud-based TrustKeeper portal.

Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of former M86 distributor Wick HIll, said: "It's interesting to see a consolidator consolidated, the interesting challenge is fitting it all together and keeping the channel happy at the same time."