Internet security vendor Network Associates says it will buy privately held IntruVert Networks, which develops network-based intrusion-protection software, for US$100 million in cash.
IntruVert"s IntruShield products help block both old and new network attacks using "signatures," which identify and block known attacks, and anomaly detection, which attempts to identify and block new attacks. IntruShield also helps thwart denial-of-service attacks.
The intrusion-prevention market, for both networks and servers and desktops, has been largely dominated by many small security vendors, but it has caught the attention of larger security companies in recent months. In late January, Cisco Systems acquired Okena for US$154 million. Okena made intrusion-prevention apps that protect both desktops and servers.
In August, Internet security appliance maker NetScreen Technologies Inc. spent US$40.3 million to acquire OneSecure for its intrusion-detection and -prevention capabilities.