TECH NEWS – Norton and Avast announcea merger could become the cybersecurity’s Activision Blizzard (and in the gaming industry, that merger in the mid-2000s formed a giant).

The document that confirmed the merger between Norton and Avast showed up on Swclockers. It recaps that consumer cyber safety could step to a new level if Norton and Avast go under the same roof. The CEO and the current director of Avast take up positions on the board of NortonLifeLock (don’t be confused: Norton’s new name became this in 2019 after an acquisition). Avast operates out of the Czech Republic, but its HQ will not be closed. The same applies to Norton’s US headquarters, too. Norton spent 8 BILLION dollars on the acqusition.

You might be asking how big of a move could this be. Well, the new company will have approximately over 500 million users, and since Norton and Avast have been on separate routes in cybersecurity, they might be changing paths once again. The press release says Norton deems itself a “global leader in consumer cyber safety,” while Avast is a “global leader in digital security and privacy.” What other benefits are there? Let’s quote the press release:

“Accelerates the transformation of consumer Cyber Safety with over 500 million users; combines Avast’s strength in privacy and NortonLifeLock’s strength in identity, creating a broad and complementary product portfolio, beyond core security and towards adjacent trust-based solutions; strengthens geographic diversification and facilitates expansion into the SOHO / VSB segments; unlocks significant value creation through approximately USD 280 million of annual gross cost synergies, with additional upside potential from new reinvestment capacity for innovation and growth; brings together two strong and highly experienced consumer-focused management teams,” the document says.

Not many of us use Norton or Avast products (there is some Avast involvement in the editorial team, but it is not a paid endorsement!), and maybe this merger could improve their products. The brands will likely face a change, too.

Source: PCGamer