The managed security services field narrowed on Tuesday, as TruSecure announced that it had acquired Vigilinx Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

Vigilinx provides a wide array of digital security services such as managed antivirus, firewall and virtual private network (VPN) services, penetration testing and security intelligence.

The deal adds Vigilinx's technology and know-how to TruSecure's roster of security consulting services, including managed security services, penetration testing, security design services and product certification through its independently operated ICSA Labs division.

Although specifics on the merger of Vigilinx with TruSecure's operations were not available, TruSecure did outline it's plans for Vigilinx's IntelliShield security intelligence services.

IntelliShield combines workflow features with a database of threats and vulnerabilities and customized filters. The system is designed to provide customers with early warnings of product security vulnerabilities, viruses, worms and hacking techniques, according to the Vigilinx Web site.

TruSecure will use IntelliShield as a platform to deliver its own security services in a way that is customized to the needs of individual customers, according to a statement released by TruSecure.

Using IntelliShield, TruSecure customers will receive alerts that are pertinent to the technology and applications they have deployed. Those alerts will be rated for urgency, severity, and credibility, according to information on the TruSecure Web site.

The acquisition Tuesday is the latest in a number of moves by TruSecure to strengthen its security offerings. In January of 2002, TruSecure acquired Three Pillars Inc., which sold remote management and monitoring services.

The company's acquisition of Vigilinx will strengthen its hand in the area of security intelligence, according to security analyst Pete Lindstrom of The Spire Group.

Vigilinx, which is headquartered in of Parsippany, New Jersey, may give TruSecure a stronger presence in the New York City area. That presence may help Herndon, Virginia, TruSecure woo the financial services companies that make up a good part of the market for managed security services, according to Lindstrom.

The addition of Vigilinx's customers and its trained staff will also help TruSecure compete against the so-called "big 5" global consulting firms and larger managed IT services companies such as Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and IBM Corp., Lindstrom said.

And in a competitive market for consulting services, bigger is better, according to Lindstrom.

"It's harder and harder to go it alone in today's security space. It's hard enough to make it into the top ten, and if you're a Fortune 500 company, you want to be working from a top ten (list). So if you're in the security consulting space, you've got to consolidate," Lindstrom said.