BigFix is the 11th acquisition IBM has made in the security-related field since 2006.

With the acquisition, IBM will also extend its portfolio of data center offerings, of which security is a key aspect.

BigFix will reside in IBM's software business, which is one of the fastest growing contributors to IBM profits. Since 2003, IBM software group has acquired more than 60 companies.

IBM is the world’s second largest software company, and software represents 42 percent of IBM’s business profit, growing from $2.8 billion in 2000 to $8 billion in 2009.