New Delhi, Jul 9 (IANS): US aerospace major Boeing Thursday announced an agreement to acquire Narus Networks Private Limited, a leading provider of real-time network traffic and analytics software used to protect against cyber attacks and persistent threats aimed at large Internet Protocol networks.

The acquisition follows a successful partnership between the two companies and advances Boeing’s strategy to offer world-class, scalable, state-of-the-art cyber security solutions, a Boeing statement said.

Narus is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and has a strong presence in Bangalore.

"This acquisition is another step forward in our strategy to develop integrated solutions for better network visibility, threat detection, and cybersecurity," said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network & Space Systems, a business within the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) operating unit.

"Narus' India team and their unique capabilities to secure complex networks will be a significant benefit to Boeing and our customers," Krone added.

In addition to supporting cyber activities within Boeing Network & Space Systems, Narus' network-centric technology also will be applied to Boeing’s smart grid energy work, the secure networking of Boeing’s ground, air and space products, and the defense of the Boeing network, the company said.

"In recent years, the need for cyber security has dramatically increased across the world and in India," said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing India president.

"Cyberspace is an increasingly crucial battlefield in which governments and businesses alike must defend themselves. Combining the modeling and simulation capabilities Boeing has here in India with Narus' technical capabilities demonstrates our commitment to designing and securing customer networks in order to protect vital information.

"With this acquisition, we have further diversified and strengthened our portfolio here, which makes this yet another milestone in Boeing’s deepening engagement in India," Keskar added.

Last year, Boeing announced the opening of its Boeing Research & Technology-India centre in Bangalore as well as the joint development with Bharat Electronics Limited of an analysis and experimentation center in India.

Narus' Bangalore office, located five km from Boeing’s Bangalore centre, provides a base of operations for its employees, many of whom bring diverse experience from leading technology companies.

"Our team is dedicated to meeting the Indian government’s requirements for visibility of IP traffic across networks that span the country," said Yogi Mistry, Narus senior vice president of Worldwide Engineering.

The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2010.