Private equity firm EQT has been identified as one of the parties interested in acquiring cybersecurity company Rapid7, according to Reuters sources.

EQT is said to be in early talks with the company, as well as other players in the private equity world, such as Bain Capital and Advent.

The interest from this sector is said to have prompted Rapid7 to start evaluating various options. The company has hired Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to advise it. Rapid7 has a market capitalization of approximately USD 2.5 billion, equivalent to SEK 26.7 billion.

The sources emphasize that the discussions may not lead to a deal and that Rapid7 chooses to remain independent.

None of the players mentioned wanted to comment.

Rapid7 closed at plus 4 percent on Monday on the information. At its peak, the stock was up more than 9 percent.

This is not the first time Rapid7 has attracted acquisition interest. Last year, the company explored its options after interest from potential suitors, Reuters reported, before talks ebbed.