Trend Micro has acquired Identum, an e-mail encryption software vendor based in Bristol, U.K.

Identum's Private Post desktop and gateway server products can be used to encrypt messages. The server software will automatically encrypt messages, depending on the user's corporate security policy, and can be used alongside existing e-mail and compliance products.

Trend Micro plans to integrate Identum's software into its existing line of products and rename Identum as Trend Micro (Bristol) Ltd. The company declined to comment on Monday's acquisition, which was announced Monday on Trend Micro's Web site.

Identum will likely strengthen Trend's SaaS (software-as-a-service) product portfolio, however, because it gives the company a way to add e-mail encryption to its InterScan Messaging Hosted Security product line.

Like other security vendors, Trend has been trying to beef up its SaaS lineup in recent months, offering customers a simpler way to keep on top of the latest threats than is found with traditional security products.

The acquisition will "ensure an even safer, more secure Internet experience for the company's global customers," Trend said in a statement.