Both companies sell software that is designed to give enterprises better control over what can happen on their IT systems. Symark's PowerSeries software audits and reins in the privileges of Unix and Linux system administrators, while BeyondTrust's Privilege Manager works on the Windows platform.

"It's really a Unix and Linux company and a Windows company coming together and expanding the product line heterogeneously across all platforms," said John Mutch, Symark's CEO.

The acquisition closed on Aug. 19 but was not announced until Monday. The merged company will now do business as BeyondTrust, Mutch said.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Mutch said BeyondTrust employed about 45 people and had annual revenue of about US$20 million. The combined company will have a staff of 125 and $50 million in annual revenue.

Symark is based in Agoura Hills, California.