Apple's Cupertino campus.
Apple is getting serious about mobile security.
The Cupertino, Calif., company has agreed to acquire security technology company AuthenTec for $356 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by AuthenTec.
The $8-a-share offer for AuthenTec represents a 58 percent premium over its Thursday closing price of $5.07.
AuthenTec makes fingerprint sensors and identity management software that's deployed in mobile devices, computing and networking companies, service providers, and governments. It counts Samsung Electronics, LG, Cisco Systems, and Motorola among its customers. Earlier this month, Samsung tapped AuthenTec's virtual private network security to power its business-class smartphones and tablets.
