[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

Dell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire advanced network security and data protection company SonicWALL.  The transaction was approved by the board of directors of each company. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but a WSJ report by Ben Worthren and Ian Sherr puts the value of the deal at around $1.2 billion. The transaction remains subject to customary conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of Dell’s FY13.

John Swainson (President, Dell Software Group): Our customers see security as a key IT concern for the foreseeable future. SonicWALL gives Dell access to unique intellectual property resources and technology that position us well in fast growing parts of the software security business.