Data storage provider EMC Corp. said Thursday it will buy RSA Security Inc. for nearly $2.1 billion, paying a hefty premium to overcome rivals who also were eager to snap up RSA’s encryption software and computer authentication products.

EMC will pay $28 for each share of Bedford-based RSA Security, or a 22 percent premium above the $22.88 price at which RSA’s shares closed Thursday on the Nasdaq before the deal was announced.

Source: AP