For instance, OpenDNS can be used to monitor employee web page usage and block offensive content. Plus, with its more advanced “Umbrella” product, it can detect unusual anomalies in traffic within the network to help security pros detect and deal with hack attacks, using artificial intelligence to guess where and when the next strike will hit.
Advertisement
The acquisition of OpenDNS will improve Cisco’s ability to provide “enhanced visibility and threat protection for unmonitored and potentially unsecure entry points into the network”, Hilton Romanski (pictured), Cisco’s senior vice president and head of business development, noted in a blog post Tuesday.
Cisco Systems Inc.is acquiring OpenDNS to boost its security business group in the face of sophisticated and fast-growing cyber-attacks. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, and in addition to cash will include assumed-equity awards, plus retention-based incentives, Cisco says. To protect those networks from security breaches is a enormous job that will require the right approach. Primarily, it provides a free service that extends the Domain Name System by adding features such as phishing protection and optional content filtering to traditional recursive DNS services.
The company claims that about 65 million people are now using its technology, with customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. The bought out firm is a privately held company which offers its cloud based security solutions to enterprises on a subscription basis. It’s probably not a coincidence that Cisco was one of its investors in a $35 million round in May, 2014. “OpenDNS has a strong team with deep security expertise and key technology that complements Cisco’s security vision”, he said.
In addition to these security acquisitions, the San Jose, California-based Internet networking company has steadily been transitioning towards higher-end switches and routers, as well as investing in new products like data analytics software and cloud-based devices for data centers.
As for Csico, this acquisition will be a part of its continued strategy of building up its security infrastructure business. In a report issued on June 10, Goldman Sachs analyst Simona Jankowski reiterated a Buy rating on CSCO, with a price target of $36, which implies an upside of 30.7% from current levels.
“We didn’t decide to sell OpenDNS”.
Advertisement
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) just announced plans to purchase OpenDNS for $635 million.
