IBM to Pay $1 Billion for Israeli Data Security Firm

IBM has agreed to acquire the Israeli data security firm Trusteer for an undisclosed sum that is believed to be up to $1 billion.

Trusteer, which has locations in Tel Aviv and Boston, develops software to help businesses protect themselves against financial fraud and security threats.

Upon the official closing of the deal, Trusteer will join the IBM Security Systems organization, IBM announced Thursday.

IBM, an American multinational technology and consulting corporation, is forming a cybersecurity software lab in Israel where Trusteer and IBM researchers will work on advanced software to address more complicated cyber threats.

This would be IBM’s largest ever acquisition in Israel, according to the Israeli business daily Globes. The purchase price is believed to be between $800 million and $1 billion.

Meanwhile, Apple has agreed to buy the Israeli start-up Matcha.tv, the website VentureBeat reported Tuesday.

Matcha, which shut down in May, is a second screen TV/video app that allows users to find out what shows are available on cable TV providers, streaming video services and digital video stores, and makes recommendations based on the user’s viewing habits.

The purchase price is believed to be between $1 million and $1.5 million.