Security firm Barracuda Networks has announced the acquisition of web application firewall provider NetContinuum.

Barracuda said that NetContinuum's technology will allow the company to expand its product portfolio to Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) combining web application security, traffic management and Secure Sockets Layer acceleration.

"NetContinuum is a recognised leader in the ADC market and this acquisition will enable Barracuda to offer easy-to-use appliances that secure websites," said Dean Drako, president and chief executive at Barracuda.

"By combining Barracuda's strengths and sales reach with mature and highly acclaimed NetContinuum products, we are confident that we will deliver industry-leading capabilities to customers who had been unable to deploy website security solutions."

Barracuda claims to have found major security shortcomings in current web application firewall solutions.

In addition, as major credit card companies increase pressure on merchants to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), many e-commerce businesses are seeking solutions to meet requirement 6.6 of PCI DSS.

Requirement 6.6 calls for either detailed custom application code reviews or the installation of a web application firewall by 30 June 2008.

"A large number of e-commerce providers are not protecting their sites, leaving them vulnerable to attacks that gain unauthorised access, steal customer data or deface the site itself," said Stephen Pao, vice president of product management at Barracuda.

"Barracuda is skilled in taking complex technology, making it very straightforward and packaging it in an easy-to-use appliance for businesses of all sizes."