July 29, 2008 -- Motorola has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AirDefense, a wireless LAN (WLAN) security provider. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. AirDefense is a privately-held developer of Wireless Intrusion Prevention Solutions (WIPS) and software applications, which enable corporations to secure their networks against wireless security threats and comply with regulatory and industry standards.
"As wireless security remains a leading concern for enterprises, we are excited to announce this transaction with AirDefense, which enables Motorola to deliver a common platform solution for greater indoor and outdoor protection to wireless LAN networks in support of our all-wireless enterprise vision," comments Kathy Paladino, president of Motorola's Enterprise Mobility business. "AirDefense is a renowned pioneer in wireless security with strong intellectual capital. Based on our trusted and valuable partnership through the years, we are confident that the combination of Motorola's WLAN infrastructure and AirDefense's best-of-breed features will further enhance our network security offerings and better secure our customers' networks."
AirDefense has been a player in the wireless industry since its inception in 2001, including the introduction of the company's 24x7 Monitoring and Wireless Intrusion Detection System, its use of access points as sensors, and its release of a variety of add-on modules that address customer-specific security problems and RF troubleshooting needs. In addition, AirDefense enables secure multi-vendor environments, which allows organizations to benefit from AirDefense platforms regardless of their WLAN infrastructure.
"AirDefense complements Motorola's Enterprise business and Motorola is the ideal partner to help us take our wireless LAN security products and services to the next level," remarks Mike Potts, president and chief executive officer of AirDefense, "We look forward to working with Motorola's talented professionals and utilizing the strengths of a global industry leader to achieve even greater success."
Upon completion of the transaction, AirDefense will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola and will be integrated into Motorola's Enterprise Mobility business. Motorola intends to maintain AirDefense's Alpharetta, Georgia headquarters, which will be an integral component of Motorola's WLAN operations. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory and other customary conditions, is expected to close in the next few months.
"WIPS solutions have gained significant traction as wireless LANs have become pervasive in industries from the federal government to financial services," concludes Sujai Hajela, vice president and general manager, Motorola Enterprise Wireless LAN division. "Industry compliance requirements such as Payment Card Industry Data Security (PCI DSS) and heightened security awareness have fueled the need for comprehensive compliance, enforcement, forensics, and reporting, which is offered by the AirDefense solutions. This transaction is a tremendous opportunity for Motorola to enhance its WLAN portfolio by utilizing AirDefense's relationships and further integrating WIPS security solutions into our WLAN infrastructure offering."
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