Symantec to Acquire @stake Digital Security Firm

Symantec Corp. said Thursday that it was acquiring digital security consulting firm @stake Inc.

Financial details were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close next month.

Symantec, based in Cupertino, Calif., is one of the world’s biggest information security companies, selling consulting services and software such as the Norton AntiVirus program. The company does business in more than 35 countries.

Closely held @stake, based in Cambridge, Mass., sells consulting services and computer programs to protect networks from hackers and other security risks. Businesses that have purchased the company’s SmartRisk and other products include six of the world’s top 10 financial institutions and four of the world’s 10 top independent software firms .

“Our customers are looking to us for a broad range of security expertise,” said Gail Hamilton, a Symantec executive vice president. “By joining forces with the leader in application security consulting, we expand the capacity and capabilities of our consulting organization.”

In addition to its headquarters, @stake has offices in six cities, including San Francisco, New York and London.

Symantec shares rose 31 cents to $51.32 on Nasdaq.