Hackers are next on govt-spyware company’s list of targets

A company that helps governments monitor their citizens is now peddling its expertise to corporate America.

Verint Systems Inc, which makes software that sifts through communications such as text messages, phone calls and e-mail, to help combat terrorism and crime, is touting its intelligence expertise to help companies defend themselves against hackers.

“Advanced cyber attacks are well-planned, targeted and stealth,” Chief Executive Officer Dan Bodner said on a June 3 conference call with analysts. He said the new cybersecurity products for corporations will be unveiled at a conference in Las Vegas this week.

Verint’s sales push comes as the US government is trying to balance the fight against terrorism with concerns over the privacy of its citizens. With corporate America besieged by computer-systems intruders from around the world bent on stealing confidential information, Verint is betting its skill at helping governments will give it an edge in the competition for privatesector contracts.

“This is a natural tangential market opportunity for Verint,” Daniel Ives, an analyst with FBR Capital Markets who has a buy rating on Verint, said in an e-mail.