Harris acquisition bolsters cybersecurity offering

Harris Corp. has announced its intention to acquire SignaCert Inc., a privately held provider of information technology compliance solutions that form the foundation for software supply chain assurance.

Financial terms were not reported.

SignaCert’s customers span a variety of markets, including government, financial services, and health care, according to a Harris announcement today.

The acquisition will expand Harris’ position as a provider of cyber solutions for government and commercial customers, the company said.

SignaCert’s solutions combine powerful change detection capabilities with custom and commercial software white lists, or lists of software that are deemed safe and approved for a customer’s network.

The SignaCert approach significantly inhibits viruses and malware by permitting use of only approved software. That enhances the effectiveness of IT security and compliance compared with the traditional signature-based, antivirus blacklisting approach, the statement said.

“This acquisition will expand our presence in the growing $10 billion cyber solutions market,” said Dale Meyerrose, vice president and general manager of Harris Cyber Integrated Solutions, in the announcement.

Acquiring the Oregon-based company will strengthen the company’s cyber leadership team and better position Harris to provide comprehensive solutions that address the national priority of enhancing critical cyber infrastructure, he added.

Wyatt Starnes, SignaCert's CEO and a 36-year IT security and compliance veteran, will assume the newly created position of vice president and chief technology officer of Harris Cyber Integrated Solutions. He will report to Meyerrose.

The acquisition of SignaCert is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close later this month, the statement said.

Harris, of Melbourne, Fla., ranks No. 13 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.