This morning, Symantec jumped into the 2010 acquisitions pool with its purchase of Gideon Technologies, a security and risk management software vendor. Gideon is not a broad market play — this acquisition is really focused on the Federal market alone.

Gideon is one of few vendors with tools that support the Secure Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) a set of standards for describing and rating the severity of system vulnerabilities. Through the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), the Federal government uses SCAP as a foundational component of other security standards like the Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and DOD 8500.2/8510.

Yes, this deal is somewhat esoteric as its real application is for the U.S. Federal market alone. That said, ESG is bullish on Symantec’s acquisition for several reasons:

1. Symantec is putting its money where its mouth is. Recognizing the $80+ billion Federal IT/cybersecurity opportunity, Symantec recently increased its budgets and added staff to its Herndon, VA Federal Sales office. Beyond these basics, Symantec is now willing to invest in specific technologies like Gideon to support this effort. This should demonstrate to Federal Agency CIOs and Beltway System Integrators that Symantec is in the Federal market for the long haul and thus a worthy partner.
2. Gideon pivots off of Altiris. The former Altiris systems management offerings are clearly one of Symantec’s shining stars. By integrating Gideon SCAP capabilities with Altiris, Symantec will be well positioned to increase its value with its large base of existing Federal Altiris customers, or package Altiris/Gideon solutions to future prospects. Either way, Gideon enhances Altiris, an established market leader.
3. Gideon can set up longer term opportunities. Ultimately, Altiris and Gideon will be integrated with other Symantec compliance, DLP, and information management products. This gives Symantec a long-term solutions approach to Federal IT complete with products and services. Federal CIOs and system integrators like this extended approach as it maps to big contracts, changing administrations, and new legislation.

To me, Symantec is demonstrating that it truly gets the Federal Government industry. This is important since doing business in the Federal space is different than the private sector. There is a different culture, language, set of standards, thought leaders and relationship protocols. Firms that simply get on the GSA schedule and edit their marketing material learn this lesson the hard way.

With its purchase of Gideon Technologies, Symantec is demonstrating a specific Federal strategy which is exactly what the Federal IT community wants. As it integrates Gideon, Altiris, and other products and services over time, Symantec should see a strong ROI on its acquisition and commitment to the Federal market.

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3. Interesting Audience Data from the Symantec Government Symposium
4. Amazon EC2 and Symantec: What Does it Mean?
5. Symantec + Verisign = Cloud Security

Tags: Altiris, FDCC, Federal Government, Gideon Technologies, NIST, SCAP, Symantec