Network Associates To Buy Entercept

The announcement comes just two days after Network Associates, based here, unveiled a deal to buy IntruVert Networks, a maker of network-based intrusion-detection appliances, for $100 million in cash.

Entercept, a privately held company based in San Jose, Calif., makes software that protects servers, operating systems, databases and applications from known and unknown attacks by using a combination of attack signatures and behavioral rules. Plans call for Network Associates to incorporate Entercept's technology into its McAfee line of antivirus protection and other security products, a Network Associates spokeswoman said.

Network Associates said it expects to close the Entercept acquisition in 45 days. "This acquisition builds on our intrusion-protection vision and is a perfect complement to our acquisition of IntruVert Networks," said Sandra England, executive vice president of corporate development and strategic research at Network Associates, in a statement.

The IntruVert technology is slated to be incorporated into Network Associates' Sniffer line of network analyzers and its McAfee antivirus product line next year.

Both acquisitions bolster Network Associates' position against rivals such as Symantec, which last year expanded its product line with a series of acquisitions, including intrusion-detection vendor Recourse Technologies.

Network Associates also has been on something of a buying binge this year. In January, it acquired antispam vendor Deersoft.