Juniper Networks buys smart security software maker Mykonos for $80 million

Juniper Networks this morning announced that it has acquired Mykonos Software, a company that helps developers and publishers protect websites and Web apps from intruders.

Juniper is putting “approximately” $80 million in cash on the table for the software company, which was founded in April 2009 by serial entrepreneur David Koretz.

Mykonos brags that its security solution is the “only intrusion deception system in the industry capable of detecting an attacker before an attack is in progress”.

Juniper Networks also offers security solutions, but those are decidedly focused on known attacks, so this is a way to diversify their product portfolio.

Here’s how Juniper pitches the purchase of the San Francisco company:

With the acquisition of Mykonos Software, Juniper Networks extends its security footprint to bring next-generation, deception-based web application security to physical, virtual and cloud environments. Customers will benefit from a proactive security approach that empowers customers to stop hackers in real-time, backed by Juniper’s scale and overall security portfolio, and strong services and support capabilities.

The transaction closed right before Valentine’s Day. Awwww.