Juniper Networks to acquire SMobile Systems

Juniper Networks plans to acquire mobile security firm SMobile for about US$70 million in cash, the companies announced on Tuesday.

Networking equipment maker Juniper said it plans to integrate SMobile’s portfolio of security software for smartphones and tablets into its Junos Pulse software, which offers connectivity, security and acceleration for smartphones, netbooks, notebooks and tablets.

“Juniper already secures the majority of smartphone traffic in the United States, is a global leader in high-end firewalls and the SSL VPN(2) market, and enables more than 25 million end users to remotely and securely connect their PCs and smartphones to corporate networks,” said Mark Bauhaus, executive vice president and general manager of Services Layer Technologies at Juniper Networks. “Integrating SMobile’s portfolio into Junos Pulse will provide users with the most comprehensive mobile security solution available on the market.”

The companies did not say when the deal would close.

Juniper is based in Sunnyvale, Calif., and SMobile is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.