IT security giant Symantec has snapped up data loss prevention (DLP) vendor Vontu in a $350 million deal designed to round out the former's product portfolio and enable it to secure customers' information more effectively.

The two firms already have an OEM agreement, and Vontu's products will provide a good fit with Symantec's own range of network and endpoint security, storage and compliance solutions to give firms a comprehensive data loss prevention platform, argued Symantec.

Vontu produces Network and Endpoint Data Discovery and Protection products, which help firms discover where sensitive information resides and then protect any exposed data. The vendor also offers Data Monitoring and Prevention solutions which can stop confidential data leaving the organisation via removable devices or email, web or IM channels.

"We already have a good business relationship so we're really going to be able to expand the marketplace for DLP," said Symantec chief technology officer, Ken Schneider. "This was the best thing we could have done to help our customers with the challenge of not just securing their systems but also the information. "

Under the terms of the deal, Vontu will become an autonomous unit within Symantec's security and data management group. The proposed acquisition follows security rivals McAfee, Websense and Trend Micro's moves into the DLP market

The deal is expected to close in Q4 2007.