MCI bolsters security offerings with NetSec deal

MCI Inc. is buying a managed services company to boost the telecom giant's advanced security offerings.

Ashburn, Va.-based MCI is paying $105 million in cash for NetSec Inc. of Herndon, Va., company officials said. The deal should close in 30 days.

NetSec is a privately held company that provides managed security services for large corporations and U.S. government agencies. The company's security monitoring and management capabilities are available in 32 countries.

The acquisition accelerates by a year MCI's ability to deliver next-generation IP-based security services to commercial and government customers, said Jonathan Crane, MCI executive vice president and chief strategy officer.

"We're combining MCI's global assets, capital strength and security services portfolio with NetSec's high-end managed security and professional services to create a new industry leader in the network security space," he said.

Based in Ashburn, Va., MCI employs about 56,600 people and had 2003 revenue of $27.3 billion. MCI is No. 37 on Washington Technology's Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.