RSA Security Acquires 3G International

RSA Security Inc. of Bedford, Mass., acquired privately held 3G International Inc. of Springfield, Va., for $12 million, RSA announced.

RSA specializes in security software and hardware, including smart-card applications. 3GI is a manufacturer of security and authentication products.

"We think this is a great opportunity for RSA to extend its position in the authentication market," said John Worrall, director of product management for RSA. "One of the primary drivers behind this acquisition was to better serve the federal market."

Worrall said the federal government will one of the largest adopters of smart-card technology in the future. Picking up 3GI's products and its engineers will further enhance RSA's position in the marketplace, he said.

"We see a major market opportunity for us in the multiapplication platform that smart cards provide," Worrall said. "People talk to us about why make an acquisition in the market now, when it's time to hunker down and ride out the storm. Fortunately, we have the strength ... to handle acquisitions financially [and] also integrate organizations."

RSA has more than 1,200 employees, Worrall said, while 3GI employs about 30 people.

One of the first orders of business will be to integrate 3GI's development center in Williamsburg, Va., he said. "That was a key reason we acquired them."