Buyout firm Thoma Bravo has approached Symantec about an acquisition

AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez

NEW YORK – Private equity firm Thoma Bravo has approached Symantec Corp to express interest in acquiring the U.S. cybersecurity software company, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

There is no certainty that the discussions between Thoma Bravo and Cerita Panas Symantec will lead to a deal, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

Symantec and Thoma Bravo did not immediately respond to requests for Cerita Hot comment.

Symantec reached a settlement with activist hedge fund Starboard Value in September that gave it three representatives on the company’s board. Private equity firms Bain Capital and Cerita Nakal Silver Lake are also investors in Symantec.