Cisco's Security Acquisition Spree Continues

Cisco Systems continues its security-vendor buying spree. The network gear maker said Friday that it plans to acquire security startup Twingo Systems Inc. for about $5 million in cash. The deal is expected to close by the end of next month.

Twingo Systems makes software that helps to secure remote-computing devices that connect to company networks through Secure Socket Layer VPNs. The software also deletes data that could pose security and privacy risks from end-point devices, including E-mail file attachments, cookies, Internet history, and temporary files.

This acquisition follows several security acquisitions Cisco has made in recent years. In January 2003, Cisco acquired intrusion-prevention software maker Okena Inc. in an all-stock deal valued at $154 million. And in October 2002, Cisco acquired little-known Psionic Software Inc. for $12 million in cash. Psionic was a maker of software designed to help reduce so-called false alerts that often plague intrusion-detection systems.

Analysts say Cisco is acquiring these security firms as part of its Self-Defending Network Strategy.