Websense snaps up SurfControl

$400m for British web-filtering company.

US firm Websense has sealed a $400m cash deal to acquire British web-filtering company SurfControl.

The 700-pence-per-share price paid by Websense - 63% more than SurfControl's share price at the time of announcing it was looking for a buyer - has prompted speculation that Websense may not have alone in bidding for the company.

The purchase gives Websense a presence in the email security and hosted services markets, as well as a stronger presence in Europe and in the small and mid-sized business market, putting it in a more competitive position against large security companies such as Symantec, McAfee and Trend Micro.

01 May 2007

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