Check Point at security checkout; Snort bought

It purchased the privately-held company with a mix of cash and stock options. It expects the deal to be concluded in the first quarter of next year following regulatory approval.

Check Point plans to integrate Sourcefire's Snort intrusion prevention and its RNA Real-time Network Awareness products into the CheckPoint NGX security suite.

"Both companies share a deep commitment to customers, and this acquisition will enable us to deliver the industry's most comprehensive end-to-end internet security to all types of customers - from consumers to the largest enterprises," said Gil Shwed, chairman and CEO of Check Point Software Technologies.

Snort was developed as an open-source tool by Sourcefire founder Martin Roesch. Check Point said that, in addition to including Snort within the NGX, it will continue to support the open-source community that Sourcefire started up around Snort.

Experts said the deal made "a great deal of sense for Check Point."

"Sourcefire has long been known to have an excellent product set with a reasonable pricing model," said Richard Starnes, president, ISSA UK.

"I hope that Checkpoint understands that there is not a lot to fix with regard to Sourcefire and they should be left to get on with what they do quite well."

www.checkpoint.com