UPDATED 01:10 EDT / APRIL 20 2015

NEWS

Raytheon acquires infosec firm Websense for $1.9 billion

2908277637_7dd7e08873_nRaytheon Co. is said to have acquired information security firm Websense Inc. for a figure believed to be $1.9 billion including debt.

The deal will see Raytheon take an 80 percent stake in the firm with current Websense owner Vista Equity Partners maintaining a 20 percent stake, according to reports.

Websense will be merged into a new company with Raytheon’s Cyber Product division, which has a book price of $400 million. Vista will additionally contribute $335 million towards the new entity.

Websense Chief Executive Officer John McCormack will lead the new company, which will operate as a division of Raytheon.

Founded in 1994, Websense makes software that blocks websites and lets companies inspect network traffic and filter emails for security and hacking threats.

Their Triton APX security intelligence suite offers security solutions that unify web, email, data and endpoint security with a low total cost of ownership, and is said to be used by tens of thousands of enterprises to stop advanced persistent threats, targeted attacks and evolving malware. It prevents data breaches, intellectual property theft and enforces security compliance and best practices.

Raytheon is best known as a defense contractor and is the world’s largest maker of guided missiles including the Patriot missile. Websense isn’t the first acquisition the company has made in the space, having picked up cyber security firm Blackbird Technologies for $420 million in November 2014.

The acquisition delivers a nice profit for Vista, who acquired Websense in June 2013 for $990 million.

The deal has yet to be confirmed publicly by either company.

photo credit: Missile, Anti-Submarine, Subroc via photopin (license)

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