Cisco pays $2.7 million for network security software and hardware developer Sourcefire, with the aim to combine technologies into "continuous and pervasive advanced threat protection across the entire attack continuum."
Sourcefire offers advanced protection against sophisticated network malware, advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks, and counts the US government as a customer.
"The notion of the "perimeter" no longer exists and today's sophisticated threats are able to circumvent traditional, disparate security products," Cisco says. "Organizations require continuous and pervasive advanced threat protection that addresses each phase of the attack continuum."
Sourcefire will operate as a separate company until acquisition closure sometime during H2 2013, when Sourcefire employees join the Cisco Security Group led by Christopher Young.
This is the 3rd Cisco acquisition in 2013, following small cell specialist Ubiquisys and mobile network management software maker Intucell.