Check Point to acquire Nokia's security appliance business

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Check Point Software Technologies announced Monday it plans to acquire the security appliance business of cell phone giant Nokia.

With the acquisition, the security software maker plans to use Nokia's security appliance business to broaden its footprint in the security appliance market.

Check Point, which is predominately known for its security firewall business, has branched out into the security appliance business over the past five years, beginning with its VPN-1 Edge device.

Nokia's security appliance business currently serves 23,000 customers throughout the world and is already designed to work with Check Point's firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and unified threat management software.

The two companies have collaborated on product development for over a decade, including developing security software for mobile and Internet devices.

For example, Nokia's Internet appliance clustering technology allows groups of VPN and firewall appliances to work together, with an aim toward improving performance and reliability.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. Terms were not disclosed.

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