IBM Confirms Acquisition of Database Security Vendor Guardium

After initially refusing to comment, IBM gives in and confirms reports that it is acquiring Guardium. The acquisition brings Guardium's database activity monitoring and data security capabilities into IBM's software portfolio.

IBM officials confirmed Nov. 30 that the company has acquired Guardium for its database security and activity monitoring technology.

IBM did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but there are reports that the acquisition cost the company $225 million. The acquisition is the 28^th purchase IBM has made as part of its Information Management strategy, and brings a new level of real-time enterprise database monitoring and data protection to IBM's portfolio.

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"Integrity of data is critical if an organization is going to use information as a strategic asset," Arvind Krishna, general manager of IBM's Information Management Software Division, said in a teleconference.

"Looking at the capabilities of Guardium-organizations are facing very strict government and industry regulations," Krishna continued. "They also have demands for unprecedented levels of transparency and access to data and information within the enterprise. This transparency and accountability begins with the data."

News of the acquisition leaked out the week of Nov. 23, although IBM previously declined to comment. Guardium's technology supports multiple environments, including Microsoft, Oracle and Teradata. That cross-platform support will be maintained, Krishna said. Guardium's technology is designed to identify patterns and anomalies in data access and use, and its monitoring capabilities detect fraud and unauthorized access via enterprise applications.

"Guardium gives clients unprecedented visibility and control over their data access activities while taking advantage of automation to deliver rapid return on investment," Guardium CEO Ram Metser said in a statement. "The combination of IBM and Guardium provides clients with a comprehensive solution for safeguarding critical enterprise information and preventing fraud without the complexity of traditional approaches."