IBM snaps up security firm Q1 Labs

Incident detection makers prove to be much in demand

IBM has bolstered its security capabilities with the acquisition of privately-owned Q1 Labs, which makes tools that spot abnormal behaviour on enterprise networks, helping to reduce security breaches.

IBM will integrate Q1 Labs into its newly formed security systems division, which also includes technology from other units including Tivoli, Rational and Information Management security software.

Brendan Hannigan, the former Q1 Labs chief executive, will head up the new division.

“Q1 Labs’ security analytics will add greater intelligence to IBM’s security portfolio and continue to distinguish IBM from competitors,” said Hannigan.

Elsewhere, Intel’s security unit McAfee also announced a security and event management acquisition, with a deal for NitroSecurity.

Last year, HP paid $1.5bn (£970m) for ArcSight, another maker of security and event management tools.