Symantec has acquired Javelin Networks and Appthority. The former offers software designed to protect organizations against Active Directory (AD) attacks; the latter is a mobile application security analysis provider.
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Financial terms of the two acquisitions were not disclosed, and both Javelin and Appthority have been incorporated into Symantec's endpoint security business.
Founded in 2014, Javelin has employees in both the United States and Israel. The company's software helps organizations protect their AD and domain resources, detect AD misconfigurations and backdoors and prevent AD reconnaissance and credential misuse by authorized devices and applications.
Appthority previously operated as a privately held Symantec Ventures portfolio company. It offers technology that allows organizations to analyze mobile apps for malicious capabilities, security vulnerabilities, data loss risks and privacy-invasive actions.
What Do the Javelin and Appthority Acquisitions Mean for Symantec?
The Javelin and Appthority acquisitions could help Symantec boost its earnings and capitalize on the rising demand for endpoint security solutions.
Symantec reported revenues of $1.18 billion for the three months ending September 2018, down from $1.24 billion one year earlier. The company also posted a net loss of $8 million during the time frame.
Global endpoint security market revenues are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4 percent between 2015 and 2020, according to industry analyst MarketsandMarkets. Furthermore, these revenues could total $17.38 billion by 2020.
A Closer Look at Symantec Endpoint Protection
Symantec offers single-agent endpoint security via Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP), a security solution that protects endpoints across the cyberattack chain.
SEP leverages machine learning, behavior analysis and other signatureless technologies, the company said. It also provides a variety of security capabilities, including:
- Application and Device Control: Empowers organizations with the ability to control file, registry, device access and behavior.
- Behavior Monitoring: Detects and blocks files that exhibit suspicious behaviors.
- Emulator: Uses a virtual machine (VM) to detect malware hidden using custom packers.
- Network Firewall & Intrusion Prevention: Identifies and blocks malware before it spreads across a network.
- Reputation Analysis: Uses security data to verify the safety of files and websites.
SEP is currently used to protect more than 175 million endpoints worldwide, Symantec stated.
Symantec Financial Results
Symantec last week said revenues were $1.18 billion for the three months ended September 2018 — down from the $1.24 billion the company generated in the corresponding quarter last year. The company also had an $8 million net loss for the quarter, though that was better than the $12 million net loss in the quarter last year.
Although Symantec's overall revenues shrank, the results beat Wall Street’s expectations — a sign that investors believe in CEO Greg Clark’s overall direction and strategy for the company.
