Cisco Fattens Security Portfolio By Acquiring Riverhead

Cupertino, Calif.-based Riverhead makes security technology that protects enterprise and service provider networks from distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS). The technology, to be sold through Cisco's channel partners, is expected to strengthen the networking vendor's Threat Defense System, a security solution that includes products such as Cisco Security Agent and PIX firewall.

Riverhead's hardware uses algorithms to identify, divert and inspect suspicious network traffic without interfering with the flow of legitimate transactions. Its Riverhead Detector product line identifies and reports the characteristics of DDoS, worms and other security threats, while its Riverhead Guard line analyzes and blocks attack traffic.

Under the deal, expected to close by the end of next month, San Jose, Calif.-based Cisco will purchase all outstanding shares of Riverhead that it doesn't already own. Cisco didn't disclose its current stake in Riverhead, which was founded in December 2000.

The acquisition, Cisco's second this year, marks the vendor's latest step to add technology in support of its Self Defending Network strategy, which aims to enable networks to identify, prevent and respond to security threats.

Earlier this month, Cisco announced a $5 million deal to acquire Twingo Systems, a Mountain View, Calif.-based software vendor whose products help secure end-point devices that connect to corporate networks via SSL VPNs.