Network Associates to Buy Security Firm

Network Associates Inc. said it will buy Trusted Information Systems Inc. for about $300 million in stock, which would make Network Associates the largest provider of security products for corporate networks. Santa Clara-based Network Associates makes software that helps companies secure and monitor their computer linkups. It would pay about 32 cents a share for each Trusted Information share, valuing Glenwood, Md.-based Trusted Information at $20.19, or 60% more than Friday’s close. Network Associates wants to provide a range of software to protect companies from theft, breakdowns and sabotage when they do business over networks. The purchase would give Network Associates products that let customers send sensitive information safely over the Internet, an area more companies are using to save time and money. Trusted Information’s products are also easier to use than Network Associates’ in networks with more than 1,000 computer users. In Nasdaq trading, Trusted Information surged $6.69 to close at $19.31, while Network Associates fell 50 cents to close at $62.