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US gun maker buys Websense

by on21 April 2015


Making hackers squeal like a pig

A US gunmaker has decided to write a jolly big cheque for a leading web security outfit.

 

 

Raytheon is buying network security provider Websense from private equity firm Vista Equity Partners for $1.9 billion.

What is weird about this buyout is that when a arms manufacture appears in a web security press release, the quote takes on a completely different meaning.

Raytheon Chief Executive Thomas Kennedy said: "We're seeing an exponential increase in the number of attacks by ultra-sophisticated attackers. It is the combination of those two that is leading to an explosion in the cybersecurity area."

We assume that seconds before the explosion Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen leaving the building with a smoking virus checker.

According to the press release, the Websense deal will add more than 20,000 commercial customers to Raytheon's portfolio of predominantly government clients. So does that mean a free redneck armed with a heavy machine gun to defend servers?

Raytheon, which is paying about $1.6 billion including debt for Websense, said it would combine its cybersecurity unit with the company. We guess that means that you can terminate your virus filled server with extreme prejudice.

Vista will then invest about $335 million for a nearly 20 percent equity stake in the new company, Raytheon said on Monday.

The new company, which will be headed by Websense CEO John McCormack, will be a separately reported business unit, Raytheon said.

A board of directors will be formed for the new company and will include representatives of both Raytheon and Vista, the company said.

Last modified on 21 April 2015
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