Qualys files for $100m IPO

Cloud security provider will list under 'QLYS' symbol

Cloud security provider Qualys has filed a registration statement for an initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock.

According to the filing, the company hopes to raise up to $100m (£64m) from the IPO, although the number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

The California-based company said that it planned to list under the symbol ‘QLYS', but did not reveal which exchange it would be listed on. Investment banks JP Morgan and Credit Suisse will act as the joint underwriters for the offering.

"A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective," a company statement read.

Qualys was founded in 1999 during the last technology boom by Philippe Langlois and Gilles Saumon. Its aim was to provide vulnerability management scanning software via a security-as-a-service model.

Today, its customers include Cisco and Nokia among a claimed customer base of 5,500 users. That figure, though, may also include users of its free service for checking web browsers and plug-ins for security vulnerabilities, Qualys BrowserCheck.

The company employs 310 staff and generated revenues of $76m in 2011. The chief executive is Philippe Courtot.