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Akamai acquires enterprise security firm Soha

Akamai hopes the deal will keep the firm's enterprise clients safer when using cloud and mobile technologies.
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer

Akamai Technologies has snapped up enterprise security control Soha to better protect and secure enterprise applications in the cloud.

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Enterprise companies are moving towards cloud technology and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) more than ever but with the move to the cloud, they often run the risk of data leaving the confines of local, secure networks and sensitive information potentially ending up in the wrong hands.

Mobility, bring-your-own-device policies (BYOD) and third-party enterprise service providers can all contribute to this problem, but Akamai hopes that focusing on the security and control of data and apps will shore up the protection of today's businesses.

To this end, Akamai has acquired Soha Systems, a company which specializes in "enterprise secure access delivered as a service." Akamai says the deal is intended to enhance the firm's strategy in securing, protecting, and accelerating enterprise applications and services through cloud technology.

The Cambridge, Mass.,-based firm announced the all-cash deal on Tuesday. No financial details have been disclosed beyond Akamai stating that the acquisition is "not material to Akamai's financials."

Soha, headquartered in Sunnyvale, is a privately-funded company which offers third-party access to cloud resources without software updates or hardware requirements or updates. This central point of entry, which is controlled by the vendor, strips away any unnecessary access to resources and is aimed at increasing security compliance.

Akamai says the acquisition will be instrumental to boosting secure, cloud-based application control and simplifying access to the remote and mobile access to enterprise resources -- while keeping content safe.

"In many ways, the traditional enterprise model is 'turning inside out' with applications, employees and data moving to the cloud, well outside of the enterprise's traditional zone of control. At the same time, security and IT teams remain responsible for ensuring visibility, security and performance," said Robert Blumofe, general manager of the Enterprise and Carrier Division at Akamai.

"By adding Soha's secure access technology to our Cloud Networking Solutions, we believe we are well positioned to help our customers take full advantage of the key trends, cloud and mobile, driving enterprise computing," Blumofe added.

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