Microsoft announced that it is acquiring anti-virus firm Sybari Software. This is seen by many as another step in Microsoft’s probable entry into the enterprise security business.
The potential competition from Microsoft caused shivers from both Symantec and McAfee investors. According to TheStreet.com shares of Symantec slipped $1.25, or 5.3%, to $22.35, and McAfee fell $2.22, or 8.6%, to $23.74. Microsoft was up 8 cents to $26.21.
The planned acquisition of Sybari Software will play a key part in Microsoft’s enterprise security strategy, providing anti-virus technologies that shield communications servers and supply customers with multiple-engine protection that can help with increased detection rates of malicious software.
If Microsoft bundles anti-virus software into its Windows, security software makers could feel significant pressure.
Microsoft has had a relationship with Sybari for some time. The Sybari home page actually includes this promotional statement from Microsoft’s Sr. Director of Marketing for Exchange, Kim Akers:
“E-mail viruses and spam continue to be one of the top issues our customers face. The release of a new and enhanced version of Antigen for Exchange along with the release of Sybari’s Advanced Spam Manager and Sybari Enterprise Manager is an important step forward in assisting customers to better protect their messaging environments.”
“Enterprise customers face a complex set of attacks through their e-mail and collaboration infrastructure,” said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business and Technology Unit at Microsoft. “Through this acquisition, we’re excited to be able to provide customers with a server-level anti-virus solution that delivers advanced file and content-filtering capabilities and the use of multiple scan engines. In this way, customers get choice, high-quality performance and the most up-to-date protection possible.”
Sybari Software’s products provide an additional layer of messaging defense, helping stop threats before they reach end users. Sybari Software’s security solutions are deeply embedded within the server infrastructure they protect, providing a consistently high level of security while maintaining infrastructure reliability and performance.
“We’ve been able to provide sophisticated, comprehensive protection for millions of mailboxes worldwide, and we’re excited that through the addition of Microsoft’s expertise and contribution, these solutions will be available to even more businesses,” said Robert Wallace, president and CEO of Sybari Software. “We’re proud of the effectiveness of our antigen products in providing protection against malicious software.”
Sybari Software’s products provide an additional layer of messaging defense, helping stop threats before they reach end users. Sybari Software’s security solutions are deeply embedded within the server infrastructure they protect, providing a consistently high level of security while maintaining infrastructure reliability and performance.
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