SurfControl is to acquire BlackSpider Technologies, the Reading-based provider of network security services, for up to £20m. Blackspider has 500,000 users and offers antivirus, antispam, encryption and content services for email together with web threat and access-management services. It does not currently operate in the US so SurfControl will need to open US data centres to host the services. Surfcontrol will pay an initial consideration of £19.95m in cash for Blackspider and assume £1.2m of short-term debt. The final purchase consideration will be determined within 90 days of completion. Blackspider's unaudited accounts for 2006 show a turnover of £4m and pre-tax losses of £3.3m. SurfControl expects that Blackspider will begin to record positive operating cashflow and pro-forma profits by the end of the 2007 financial year.