Cisco Systems Inc. , the world's largest maker of equipment that directs Internet traffic, on Monday said it would integrate Trend Micro Inc.'s technology to block computer viruses and worms with its software in a bid to make corporate networks more secure. Trend Micro's shares rose more than 5 percent on the news. Cisco's stock was up almost 3 percent, compared with a 1.5 percent increase by the American Stock Exchange Networking index.
Under the multiyear deal, Cisco will incorporate Trend Micro virus and worm technologies with its intrusion-detection system software used on its routers and switches, machines that direct the flow of data on the Internet. With its core switch and router markets maturing, Cisco has turned in recent years to other markets, including security, Internet voice transmission and home networking, to boost its growth prospects. "If the network can automatically take some action to make sure it stays up despite being under attack, that's a good thing in the world of networking," IDC senior analyst Abner Germanow said. "This is a really big move."
News source: Reuters
