Microsoft Buys VPN, SSL Company

Microsoft on Thursday said it was acquiring Whale Communications, a provider of virtual private network (VPN) and SSL solutions, as well as Web application firewalls. The company's technologies will be integrated into Microsoft's Windows Server and Internet Security and Acceleration Server products.

The purchase of Whale comes as Microsoft is increasingly focusing on the mobile workforce. The company recently rolled out Office Communicator for the Web and mobile devices, and Outlook 2007 includes a number of new remote access features. "We’re excited about what this acquisition will mean for our customers given Microsoft’s focus on providing policy-based secure access to information assets from beyond the corporate network," said Whale CEO Roger Pilc.