
| | EXHIBIT A EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT This Exclusivity Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 27, 2010, by and between Hewlett-Packard Company (“HP”) and ArcSight, Inc. (the “Company”). RECITALS A. The parties hereto have had preliminary discussions regarding a possible strategic transaction (the “Transaction”) involving HP and the Company. B. The Company desires to induce HP to further analyze such a Transaction and to negotiate in earnest with the intent to complete such a Transaction. NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows: 1. Negotiations with Others. Prior to the Termination Time (as defined below), the Company shall not (and shall use reasonable efforts to cause its officers, managers, employees, members, agents, representatives and affiliates not to), directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions with any party other than HP and its designees: (i) solicit, encourage, initiate or participate in any negotiations or discussions with respect to, any offer or proposal to acquire or license all or substantially all, or a significant portion, of the Company’s business, technologies or properties (other than the licensing of software, the sale of products or inventory and the provision of services in the ordinary course of business) or any of the Company’s equity (other than granting employee options and ESPP purchases in the ordinary course) whether by merger, purchase of assets, equity purchase (including convertible securities), license, tender offer or otherwise (including any option or right with respect to any of the foregoing), or enter into any agreement providing for, or effect, any such transaction, (ii) disclose any information not customarily disclosed in the ordinary course of business to any person (other than the Company’s representatives) concerning the Company’s business, technologies or properties or afford to any person or entity including, but not limited to, financing parties, access to its properties, books or records, (iii) assist or cooperate with any person to (x) make any proposal to purchase all or any portion of the Company’s equity (other than granting employee options and ESPP purchases in the ordinary course) or (y) license all or any material portion of the Company’s assets (other than the licensing of software, the sale of products or inventory and the provision of services in the ordinary course of business), or (iv) enter into any agreement or arrangement with any person providing for the acquisition or licensing of all or any significant portion of the Company (other than the licensing of software, the sale of products or inventory and the provision of services in the ordinary course of business) (whether by way of merger, purchase of assets, equity purchase, license, tender offer or otherwise). In the event that the Company shall receive, or shall become aware that any of its officers, managers, employees, members, agents, representatives or affiliates has received, any offer or proposal, directly or indirectly, of the type referred to in clause (i) or (iii) above, or any request for disclosure or access pursuant to clause (ii) above, (a) to the extent |