Computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard just announced plans to sell Snapfish to District Photo. The reason behind this decision involves the company’s plan to split the business.
Hewlett-Packard initially acquired Snapfish for over $300 million a decade ago. Late last year, Reuters first shared speculations of HP’s plans to drop the photo sharing service. In October, HP officially announced plans to separate its computer and printer businesses from the rest of the hardware and service operations this year. Once the deal closes, Snapfish will continue to use printing products from Hewlett-Packard. HP also plans to provide the Connected Photo app (first developed by Snapfish) on its computers.
Hewlett-Packard strives for better security measures
One of Hewlett-Packard’s current goals is to beef up cyber-security. The company plans to team up with FireEye, a major cyber-security firm, to offer a variety of services. Such services include assessments and incident responses. This service brings the most sophisticated security teams to a wider market. Both companies announced the partnership at the largest conference for corporate security buyers.
Hewlett-Packard already has 5,000 security consultants. Many of these consultants manage security options outsourced to major corporations. The consultants will bring FireEye technology and use it to test computer commands before executing them. The addition includes investigators at Mandiant, which was acquired by FireEye last year.
Mandiant’s efforts in cyber-security
Mandiant serves government clients, private companies and researchers. One notable research report named a specific unit in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army that breached major companies. Mandiant’s services are expensive, but HP will bring a co-branded version to smaller companies.
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services executive vice president Mike Nefkins explained that more clients want to analyze and improve their defense strategy before attacks occur. They don’t want to wait until an incident occurs; they want to prepare. HP’s partnership aims to reach other countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
