Even as it continues discussions to hand control of NBC Universal to Comcast (CMCSA), General Electric (GE) is eyeing a $1.8 billion sale to unload its security systems unit to United Technologies (UTX), according to a published report.

GE and United Tech could announce a deal as early as Nov. 12, Bloomberg News reported. The potential sale would mark GE’s latest effort to reshuffle its vast businesses and raise cash for future buyouts.

The move would boost UTC’s security business, which already includes Chubb locks and Kidde fire systems. It would also give GE the cash it wants to expand its core businesses of infrastructure, oil and gas equipment, the Financial Times reported, citing bankers.

According to GE Security’s Web site, the unit has operations in more than 30 countries and includes products in intrusion and fire detection, access and building control, video surveillance, explosive and drug detection and key management.

Shares of GE were trading up 13 cents at $15.91 ahead of Wednesday’s opening bell amid broad market gains. The conglomerate’s stock is well off its bear-market low of $5.72 but is still down nearly 12% from a year ago.

Meanwhile, GE s reportedly nearing a deal to give cable giant Comcast a majority stake in a new joint venture housing NBCU, which includes NBC, CNBC and Universal Studios.

The two companies, which recently agreed to value the media unit at $30 billion, plan to tap current NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker to lead the proposed joint venture, Dow Jones Newswires reported.