Thursday, January 23, 2003

Cisco Systems to Acquire Okena for Network Security Software

Cisco Systems agreed to acquire Okena, a network security start-up based in Waltham, Massachusetts, for approximately $154 million in Cisco common stock. Okena's network security software provides threat protection for desktop and server computing systems by intercepting all operating system, file system, configuration, registry, and network requests, preventing malicious activity from occurring. The behavior-based security software aggregates and extends multiple endpoint security functions, such as Host-based Intrusion Detection (HIDS), distributed firewall, malicious code protection and operating system lockdown. The software is complementary to desktop anti-virus software. Cisco said the acquisition enhances its security portfolio of network-integrated solutions and appliances for Virtual Private Networks (VPN), firewalling, intrusion protection, and security management. Okena has 52 employees.
http://www.okena.com