PentaSafe

PentaSafe Security Technologies, a Houston-based company, carved a niche in the enterprise security management software market before its strategic acquisition. The firm specialized in developing solutions to protect corporate networks from internal and external threats such as viruses and unauthorized access.

PentaSafe's core product, the VigilEnt Security Solution, provided a comprehensive suite for IT security management. This platform enabled security managers to proactively assess vulnerabilities, audit systems, detect intrusions, and manage security policies across an enterprise. Key features included the ability to track changes to system configurations, automate security reporting, and issue alerts for suspicious activities, offering a consolidated view of an organization's security posture. The company served a notable client base, including one-third of the Fortune 100 companies and major auditing firms.

The company's offerings were designed to simplify and centralize security for IT staff, allowing them to manage and enforce security practices efficiently across diverse systems. Before being acquired, PentaSafe had successfully raised $55.8 million in funding from investors like Austin Ventures, Dell Ventures, and Lehman Brothers. In a significant market move in October 2002, NetIQ, a provider of network management software, acquired PentaSafe for $255 million in a cash and stock transaction, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for network security. At the time of the acquisition, PentaSafe's CEO was Doug Erwin, a former COO of BMC Software.

Keywords: security management, network security, vulnerability assessment, intrusion detection, security auditing, enterprise security, policy enforcement, access control, risk management, IT infrastructure