Rohde & Schwarz buys IT security firm

Rohde & Schwarz, on top of its portfolio of network analysers, vector signal generators and other measurement technology for development labs and production tests, it also runs a growing business of secure communications equipment such as firewalls, hardware-based data encryption devices and the like. In order to boost this business, the test and measurement company has acquired Gateprotect AG, a Hamburg-based vendor of IT security solutions.

Gateprotect's product and solution spectrum includes next-generation firewalls for small and medium-sized enterprises, enterprise managed security systems, VPN clients and products to protect mobile devices against cyber-attacks. Some Gateprotect products are certified according to security level EAL4+.

The acquisition widens Rohde & Schwarz' portfolio of IT security businesses. The company runs a number of low-profile activities in this segment. Among others it manufactures end-to-end encryption solutions for military and government agencies. There are rumours that even German Chancellor Angela Merkel's smartphone is protected by R&S technology.

Within the course of the integration into the Rohde & Schwarz group, Gateprotect will change its legal form, it will turn from an AG (public company) into a GmbH (a private limited company), like the privately-held parent company Rohde & Schwarz. The acquisition will widen R&S' capabilities in the cyber security segment, said Peter Riedel, member of the R&S board. No information was provided as to the price of the acquisition.

- Christoph Hammerschmidt
  EE Times Europe