Accenture, a Top 200 MSSP, is acquiring Context Information Security, a financial services-centric cyber defense consultancy, from Babcock International Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
This is M&A deal Number 140 that MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2020. See the complete M&A deal list here.
The deal arrives roughly three months after Accenture acquired Symantec's Cyber Security Services Business -- which includes major MSSP capabilities -- from Broadcom.
Accenture Acquiring Context Information Security: Deal Details
Context, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, provides cyber defense, red team, vulnerability research, and incident response services. The acquired company has additional offices in Germany, the United States, and Australia.
In addition to the financial services industry, Context works with government, aerospace & defense, critical infrastructure, and more.
More than 250 Context employees now transition to Accenture Security.
Accenture Acquires Context Information Security: Executive Perspectives
Kelly Bissell, a senior managing director who leads Accenture Security, commented on the deal:
“This acquisition is an excellent match for us, combining a group of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals globally while providing differentiated services to clients in the U.K. market. The deal signals continued aggressive growth for Accenture Security and gives us a new branch of talented family members to help clients grow their business with confidence and resilience.”
Nick Taylor, UKI lead at Accenture Security, added:
“Context has a remarkable set of cybersecurity skills, capabilities, and reputation in the U.K. as well as in the international financial services industry to complement the growth we have already driven for more than a decade in this market. We are excited to welcome this talented group of professionals that share a common vision of providing world-class cybersecurity to our clients."
Mark Raeburn, Context Information Security’s chief executive officer, said:
“We are excited about the opportunity to become part of the Accenture family. Combining our skills and expertise under one roof to help us do more for our clients and create more opportunities for our people was an easy decision. Accenture’s industry-focused approach across adversary simulation, red teaming, incident response and more, matches Context’s own strategy. Accenture’s family culture is a great fit for Context. We’re genuinely excited to join forces to help clients better defend themselves against the world’s most advanced adversaries.”
Accenture’s Cybersecurity Investments
Accenture has been investing heavily in cybersecurity services. Other deals included Symantec's MSSP arm, Deja vu Security, iDefense, Maglan, Redcore, Arismore and FusionX.
M&A activity involving MSSPs remains strong — as this growing list of MSSP mergers and acquisitions shows.
