Percipient Networks, a US-based internet security subsidiary of commercialisation firm Allied Minds, was acquired by network security company WatchGuard Technologies for an undisclosed sum today.
Founded in 2014, Percipient has developed an internet security suite, dubbed Strongarm, that protects clients against malicious websites. The platform does this by routing traffic through its own domain name system, the register that makes sure a URL leads to the correct website.
The approach means Strongarm can prevent users from accidentally accessing dangerous files not only through websites but also through other parts of the internet, such as email.
When an exploit is prevented, the user is notified to educate them with tailored advice to avoid the mistake in future.
Allied Minds launched Percipient Networks through a licensing deal with Mitre, a non-profit body responsible for several US federal government-funded R&D centres. Allied Minds extended the deal two years later to gain exclusive access to certain Mitre intellectual properties.
WatchGuard will integrate Strongarm services with its Total Security Suite (TSS) to enhance the cloud security capabilities of its offering. The firm’s partners and clients will begin beta testing the services later in January 2018.
Percipient has not disclosed any equity funding. Allied Minds expects cash from the transaction to substantially cover the “modest reduction” to the ownership value of its group subsidiaries resulting from the deal.
Todd O’Boyle, co-founder and chief technical officer of Percipient Networks, said: “By protecting users and using blocked attacks as an opportunity to educate we significantly reduce the odds of that employee making the same mistake a second time.
“We are delighted to continue development of the product and our threat research team under WatchGuard’s leadership.”