Sale rumours surround Network Associates
Sale rumours surround Network Associates
Reports from the U.S. claim that Network Associates, the maker of McAfee antivirus and security products, is up for sale and Microsoft could be the possible buyer to improve its own security standing in the market.
A public announcement is expected by July 1, when Network Associates is expected to reveal details of company layoffs.
Speculation has mounted in the U.S. that Microsoft is the most likely company to buy the company because of its desire to improve its security offerings.
This would make the company even more competitive against Symantec and Computer Associates International, which is believed to be one of the main motivations behind any potential take over.
Microsoft has been improving it security position recently, by releasing antivirus tools for Windows, a next-generation application layer firewall, a VPN and a Web cache solution.
However, this possible acquisition of Network Associates could significantly boost it as a leader in the security market.
These rumours are circulating in the same week Network Associates announced solutions with full support for Phase 1 of the Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC) program, which is focused on enforcing policy compliance on all systems connecting to Cisco networks.
The availability of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0i and 7.x with support for Phase 1 of the Cisco Network Admission Control program, builds upon Network Associates(r) McAfee Trusted Connection Strategy, a comprehensive strategy for validating that systems connecting to the network, from both internal and external access points, are brought to compliance before they are allowed to connect.
Charles H. Giancarlo, senior vice president and general manager of product development at Cisco Systems said. "Today's growing security concerns require a joint effort among industry leaders, technologies and policies in order to offer enterprise customers the most advanced protection available. Network Associates' proactive anti-virus and intrusion prevention technology positions our mutual customers steps ahead of future security threats and provides them the ability to help protect their networks from noncompliant access."
But people started picking up on the signs of a possible sale after the departure of Donna Troy, Network Associates' executive vice president of worldwide channel sales, and the sudden, unannounced departure of Gary Brand, director of channel sales. These two changes prompted people to start thinking about future changes.
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