Orange acquires UK’s SecureData

Orange, formerly French Telecom, has acquired independent UK cyber security services provider SecureData and its consulting subsidiary SensePost for an undisclosed sum.

The security firm recorded annual revenues of around €50m in 2018 and has shown consistent growth rates of approximately 20% since 2016, said Orange.

SecureData is to join forces with the Orange Cyberdefense Division (OCD) to bolster its position as a provider of security services to large multinational enterprises, providing an additional source of expertise and innovative technology.

According to Orange, OCD is the market leader in France and ranked 6th in the European security service market.

Cyber security is a key component of Orange’s diversification strategy and the SecureData acquisition is aimed at expanding and developing its business in the UK market.

In addition, Orange said the deal marks a commitment to the UK – the home of the Orange brand – which was retained despite ceasing most of its UK operations after the sale of EE to BT in 2015.

With more than 200 employees in the UK and South Africa, Orange said SecureData is well-positioned on the strategically key UK and Anglophone cyber security market.

“By offering improved access to this crucial market, SecureData constitutes an opportunity to expand Orange’s capabilities, particularly in Europe,” Orange said in a statement.

The company said SecureData also boasts an advanced cyber security operations centre (SOC) in the UK that will reinforce Orange Cyberdefense’s international reach, adding to the existing network of nine cyber SOCs dedicated to monitoring and responding to security breaches on behalf of its customers.

However, Orange said SecureData will work alongside Orange Cyberdefense’s existing operations in France and Belgium. “The envisaged organisation is designed to ensure continuity of SecureData’s commercial and operational autonomy,” the company said.

The acquisition will mark a “major milestone” in Orange’s development in Europe’s cyber security market, said Hugues Foulon, executive director of strategy and cyber security activities at Orange.

“SecureData, just like Orange Cyberdefense, has successfully made the transition toward managed security services, and shares the same passion for cyber. We will progressively build together the operational and commercial synergies, with the patronage and experience of Michel Van Den Berghe, CEO of Orange Cyberdefense,” he said.

According to Foulon, cyber security has become a critical element for both large and small companies as they evolve in an increasing digital-reliant world. “We are convinced that the combined expertise of Orange Cyberdefense and SecureData will provide a powerful resource for our customers in ensuring the protection of their valuable data.”

Ian Brown, executive chairman at SecureData, said both organisations share the same vision and aspiration for the cyber security market, and have many complementary services and skills. “By being part of Orange we will be able to better serve the international needs of many of our existing customers as well as providing enhanced cyber services to Orange customers with the UK,” he said.