Vista Equity explores sale of cybersecurity firm Sonatype, sources say

A picture illustration shows a 100 Dollar banknote laying on one Dollar banknotes, taken in Warsaw, January 13, 2011. The U.S. dollar extended losses against the yen and euro after data showed rising gasoline prices had put U.S. consumers in a gloomy mood in early January. The euro, which hit a one-month high above $1.34 overnight before fading, moved back to $1.3396 after the data. Picture taken January 13. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel (POLAND - Tags: BUSINESS)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Buyout firm Vista Equity is exploring options including a sale of Sonatype in a deal that could value the cybersecurity firm at more than $1.5 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.

Fulton, Maryland-based Sonatype has tapped Goldman Sachs to solicit interest from potential buyers, which could include other private equity firms, said the sources, who requested anonymity as the matter is confidential.