Websense adds insider threat protection

Websense on Wednesday said it has agreed to acquire privately held PortAuthority Technologies for $90 million in cash. The deal, expected to close in January, brings to Websense technology designed to protect businesses against leaks of confidential data, either accidental or by dishonest insiders. Websense currently specializes in protection against external, Web-based threats such as phishing Web sites and sites that install malicious software.

Websense and Palo Alto, Calif.-based PortAuthority started working together in September to develop a joint product. "The synergies were so strong that it made sense to acquire PortAuthority," said Cas Purdy, a spokesman for Websense in San Diego. Product plans are slated to be announced in early 2007, he said.