Reports say Symantec may buy VeriSign security units

Symantec is closing in on a deal to acquire the remaining information security business units of VeriSign, according to reports.

VeriSign would be left with its domain name services unit, which manages the world's more than 100 million .com and .net domains. Symantec would purchase VeriSign's line of products around SSL certificates, which enable encryption of online transactions, in addition to its identity and authentication services.

The possible deal is valued at about $1.3 billion, according to reports in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, which cited anonymous sources with insider knowledge of the discussions.

VeriSign has been on a selling spree of late, choosing to divest those units that are not central to its core internet infrastructure business, per a 2007 company edict.

The company seemed committed to retaining its security properties.

However, last November, AT&T acquired the global security consulting business of VeriSign to complement the telcom giant's suite of network-based cybersecurity services. Four months earlier, SecureWorks, provider of managed security services (MSS), completed its acquisition of VeriSign's MSS business.

A spokeswoman for VeriSign told SCMagazineUS.com that it is the company's policy not to comment on rumors or speculation. A representative for Symantec did not respond to a request for comment.