Under a cash deal, the IT security group has paid US$140 million for MX Logic, plus an addition US$30m - also in cash - if certain targets are met,
McAfee said it will combine MX Logic's security software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings with its Global Threat Intelligence service to create an enhanced range of SaaS-based security services that includes cloud-based intelligence, web security, email security, endpoint security, and vulnerability assessment.
Eaglewood-Colorado-based MX Logic currently has 40 000 customers with more than four million end users.
McAfee has been developing its technologies in the cloud for some time with the aim of giving customers a choice between appliances and cloud-based services, Infosecurity notes.
Earlier this month, Marc Olesen, the company's SaaS general manager outlined McAfee's cloud strategy and said that his firm's customers have said they want flexibility in their delivery options.
"It is clear that IT resources need to focus on initiatives that are business critical, while consolidating vendors. Bottom line, McAfee is committed to making it easy for customers to maximize the value of our solutions and help them save money through Security-as-a-service", he said.
Commenting on his company's acquisition, John Street, MX Logic's chairman, said that he views McAfee as a leading dedicated security company and a pioneer in SaaS.
"We will now be even better equipped to help our customers address the complex challenges associated with blocking spam, phishing scams, viruses in the cloud, and enforcing email policies to prevent sensitive data leaks", he said.
Following the closing of the proposed acquisition, the MX Logic team will report to the McAfee SaaS business unit, headed by Marc Olesen.