McAfee Makes Another Key Acquisition

So there are two stories out today about McAfee. In the first, it shows that McAfee is helping to keep Symantec spun up about Microsoft, and the second, McAfee stabs Symantec in the back by making another key acquisition that will help McAfee maintain its dominance atop the Anti-Virus and Security Suite Space.

From Yahoo here:

Major security firms McAfee and Symantec have gone on the attack against Microsoft, accusing the software behemoth of changing security in the forthcoming Windows Vista operating system to lock them out.

The security tweak in question is limiting access to the system’s kernel, which security vendors have been able to access in the past, and which is necessary for making third-party security software work effectively.

“The kernel issue is a complicated one, and both sides are telling their stories in believable ways,” Wilcox said. “But, ultimately, it won’t have a huge affect on most users.“

McAfee knows that Microsoft is fortifying their OS, ultimately making users around the world less dependent on Anti-virus software. Its a good thing. Less compromised PC’s will lead to better and safer computing environments. Symantec doesnt seem to get this, or they are too swamped in litigation and overdue taxes to concentrate on retooling their business for a world of stronger PC’s.

Meanwhile, McAfee is going forward with its next generation of business- Complicated compliance issues with the Federal Government. Big money in that. Where is Symantec on acquiring companies to allow it to compete in the regulatory space?

From CNET here:

McAfee to capture Citadel Security

The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, calls for security company McAfee to pay $56 million in cash, in addition to $4 million in working capital.

Citadel develops software designed to automate the process of complying with regulatory requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. The company’s products range from patch management to security policy to vulnerability remediation technologies.

McAfee said it is particularly interested in targeting government agencies and health care companies with its Citadel acquisition, given that those industries are highly regulated.