Microsoft Corp. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Sybari Software Inc. Sybari provides security products for the enterprise space, including protection of messaging and collaboration servers.

The planned acquisition of Sybari Software will play a key part in Microsoft’s enterprise security strategy, providing anti-virus technologies that shield communications servers and supply customers with multiple-engine protection that can help with increased detection rates of malicious software. In a recent ICSA Labs survey, e-mail attachments were cited as the means of infection in 88 percent of virus incidents in corporate environments, a clear indication that further innovation is required.

Sybari Software’s products provide an additional layer of messaging defense, helping stop threats before they reach end users. Sybari Software’s security solutions are deeply embedded within the server infrastructure they protect. A single Sybari Software product works with multiple versions of Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes. The company also provides solutions for Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services.

Terms of the acquisition were not announced. Sybari will maintain all current operations until regulatory approval.