Cisco is paying $635 million to acquire US-based DNS service provider OpenDNS to boost the firm’s cloud security portfolio.
OpenDNS, founded in 2006, provides online software and services that protect devices and computers at companies and organizations against viruses and malware.
The San Francisco-based firm asserts its cloud platform is now used by 65 million internet users around the world, including Fortune 50 companies, small businesses, schools, and hundreds of thousands of homes.
Hilton Romanski, Cisco chief technology and strategy officer said the acquisition of OpenDNS will extend Cisco ability to provide customers enhanced visibility and threat protection for unmonitored and potentially unsecure entry points into the network, and to quickly and efficiently deploy and integrate these capabilities as part of their defense architecture.
The acquisition, announced last week, is expected to close in the first quarter of next year.
Upon the completion the OpenDNS team will join the Cisco Security Business group organization led by David Goeckeler, senior vice president and general manager.
"Together, we will help customers protect their extended network wherever the user is and regardless of the device," Romanski said.
Meanwhile, US-based Level 3 said it has acquired privately held Black Lotus, a provider of global Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation services, for an undisclosed amount.
Level 3 said the acquisition of Black Lotus will add additional capabilities to the US telco's existing DDoS service, which launched earlier in the year, including adding extra scrubbing centers.