Atos, a global IT consulting firm with a Top 250 MSSP business unit, has announced plans to open a new security operations center (SOC) in Sofia, Bulgaria. The center will mark Atos' 16th SOC globally, according to the company.
The continued SOC expansion companies amid recent reports that potential suitors may want to acquire the Atos cybersecurity and MSSP business. However, Atos has stated that the business is not up for sale.
New Atos SOC: More Details
The new Atos Bulgaria SOC will use artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver threat monitoring, detection and response to large global organizations, the company indicated.
In addition, Atos will use the Bulgaria SOC to meet the security needs of public and private organizations in Central Europe, Croatia, Poland and Romania, the company stated. It also expects to hire more than 50 cybersecurity professionals for its Bulgaria SOC in 2022 and expand the center's capabilities with up to 300 digital specialists.
Meanwhile, Atos' global SOCs deliver managed detection and response (MDR) and other managed security services to help organizations investigate, contain and respond to threats, the company noted. These SOCs process 31 billion security events per day.
Atos Cybersecurity Business: Potential Buyout Interest?
The Bulgaria SOC announcement comes as Atos' MSSP business has been the subject of several buyout rumors in 2022.
European aerospace giant Airbus has expressed interest in acquiring Atos, according to a report published in March 2022. Also, a report surfaced in February 2022 that French multinational company Thales reportedly was considering an acquisition of BDS, Atos' cybersecurity arm.
To date, Atos has stated that its business is not for sale. At this time, Atos continues to explore growth opportunities in Europe and looks poised to further expand globally.
