Relx boosts cybercrime defences in £580m deal

Threat Metrix uses data and behavioural analytics to protect clients from hackers
Threat Metrix uses data and behavioural analytics to protect clients from hackers
JENS SCHLUETER/GETTY IMAGES

Relx, the FTSE 100 former publishing house that has turned itself into an information group, is buying a Californian company that specialises in detecting fraud.

It is buying Threatmetrix, a fraud detecting business, for £580 million in its fourth acquisition in Silicon Valley in only two years,

The deal is intended to boost its ability to help clients such as financial institutions and other companies to identify risks in doing business with a potential partner.

Relx, formerly known as Reed Elsevier, has sold off most of its business and trade magazines, which previously included titles such as the New Scientist, to cut its reliance on volatile print revenues. It has focused instead on developing tools that detect risks such as financial fraud. Print now accounts