Vista Equity Partners is acquiring Infoblox Inc. (NYSE: BLOX), a network services provider, for nearly $1.6 billion.

Infoblox, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, delivers network services that protect domain name system (DNS) infrastructures, automate cloud computing deployments, and reduce the risk of malware and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. The company operates in more than 25 countries. Infoblox boasts many Fortune 500 customers, including: Adobe Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: ADBE), Barclays plc (NYSE: BCS), Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO), Deloitte Consulting LLP, Dow Jones & Co., Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) and McDonald’s Co. (NYSE: MCD). 

As part of the deal, Infoblox will maintain company headquarters and will continue to be led by the executive team. Infoblox CEO Jesper Andersen says Vista’s backing will provide “greater flexibility.” The transaction is expected to close at the top of 2017.

Vista is a private equity firm focused on software and technology-enabled targets. The firm currently invests in 36 companies; and its investment size ranges between $20 million and $700 million. Vista has offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Oakland, California and Austin, Texas.

As expected, M&A activity has continued to pick up in the cybersecurity sector. Recent deals include TPG’s reaching a $4.2 billion dollar deal for a majority stake in Intel Corp’s computer security unit; Thoma Bravo LLC’s buying Bomgar; Accenture’s purchasing Redcore; and Vista’s agreement to buy compliance software provider Regulatory DataCorp Inc.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is serving as the financial adviser to Infoblox, and Fenwick & West LLP is  serving as legal adviser. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is representing Vista.