Tech Shout!

On Tuesday, Symantec announced a contract to attain instant messaging security specialist IMlogic. However, the financial details of the acquisition, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, have not yet been revealed.

The growing use of IMs in corporations is directly related to the growth of security attacks targeting Instant messaging networks. Symantec said its deal to attain IMlogic, an existing technology partner, would enable it to build products and services that incorporate IM security and archiving tools into its existing messaging security and compliance portfolio. The deal also puts Symantec in a better position to provide security tools for VoIP networks.

Enrique Salem, a SVP at Symantec, said, “With the best-of-breed instant messaging management and compliance software from IMlogic, Symantec will be the first and only vendor to offer a complete security and archiving solution to help customers manage all their messaging requirements.”

IMlogic supports a wide range of IM clients and technologies. For instance Microsoft Office Live Communications Server uses IMlogic’s technology. It’s ambiguous how Symantec’s acquisition will affect this relationship or its technology partnerships with other Symantec rivals such as McAfee.

Akonix, which is IMlogic’s chief rival in the IM security market, welcomed the deal and said the IMlogic acquisition “signals the start of a period of demand for IM security that will dwarf the growth rates we saw for email security or firewalls”.