Microsoft buys secure VPN specialist

Analysts rate Whale as 'visionary' because it has gone further than other vendors in developing special optimisations for applications

Microsoft on Thursday said it has agreed to acquire Whale Communications, a specialist in secure remote access and Web application firewalls.

The takeover is meant broaden Microsoft's security offerings and give its customers more options in providing secure access to their networks from more locations and devices, Microsoft said in a statement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Whale makes technology including Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (VPN) software and appliances, which let businesses give secure remote access to their networks. Its rivals include Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Aventail, and Citrix Systems.

Analyst firm Gartner rates Whale as "visionary" in the SSL VPN space because it has gone further than other vendors in developing special optimisations for applications, including Microsoft's SharePoint and Outlook Web Access, as well as IBM's Domino products, according to a Gartner report published in December.

The Whale products will be complementary to Microsoft's existing secure access technology in Windows Server and its Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server, the software maker said.

Microsoft has been building a security business. The software giant has made several security-related acquisitions, including ID management company Alacris last September and hosted email security provider FrontBridge last summer. Next month, the company is slated to start selling Windows OneCare Live, its first consumer antivirus product.

Whale will maintain all current operations until the close of the transaction. Microsoft did not give an expected closing date.



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