Check Point Software Technologies plans to buy Zone Labs, which makes security software for desktops, for $205 million, an effort to broaden its product line.
Check Point primarily concentrates on firewalls, server-side software that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and prevents malicious intrusions. Zone Labs produces similar software for desktops and notebooks. The Zone Labs software can also help prevent PCs from becoming drones that can be used by attackers to launch assaults on other systems. Working together, the two types of software can further help corporations defend themselves against attacks, the companies stated.
Check Point also hopes the acquisition will help it better position itself competitively through diversification. Security companies used to specialize in a few products. Now most are trying to sell a broad array of products that will work in concert. Symantec for instance, bought two software companies specializing in management tools that, over time, will make it easier for customers to update their security systems.