Today Cisco Systems Inc. announced a $39 million deal to acquire Riverhead Networks, which specializes in combating distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks like the Mydoom virus. These can wreak havoc on network and data center resources.
The deal reflects a flurry of activity in the specialized security market, where Cisco and other router vendors have made several moves. Cisco's rival in the IP router space, Juniper Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: JNPR), has also taken an interest in security, having recently anted up $4 billion for NetScreen Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: NSCN) (see Juniper Buys NetScreen). Cisco itself has focused on a series of smaller deals that IT managers hope will result in better security, given Cisco's influential role in data networking.
Industry observers had originally speculated that Cisco was in the market for acquiring Arbor Networks Inc., which is one of Riverheads main competitors (see Will Cisco Buy Arbor Next?).
Charles Kolodgy, research director at analyst firm IDC
says, So many companies now route everything through the data center, so you can attack the whole area by taking the data center down. You have to protect it from DDOS attacks.
Kolodgy adds that the acquisition spells good news for Cisco users. Cisco is already a leader in network security products, and buying up firms makes their products stronger -- they are getting technology.
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