Cybersecurity firm Optus is acquiring Hivint Strategic in a bid to boost the latter’s security services across Optus Business. The announcement was made by Singtel, Optus’s parent company. “This acquisition will strengthen Optus Business’ cybersecurity capabilities as Trustwave, the global cybersecurity arm of Singtel and Optus, integrates Hivint’s advisory services into Trustwave’s security offerings across Australia and the Asia Pacific,” Singtel said.
Over the last couple of years, Optus has been strengthening its cybersecurity infrastructure. Last November, Optus and Singtel has invested AU$3.5 million into the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. It had also opened its Advanced Security Operations Centre (ASOC) alongside Trustwave, a year prior to that. It also co-invested AU$8 million along with La Trobe University in Melbourne to form cybersecurity degree as well as to digitize the university and its Sports Park. Apart from that it also co-invested AU$10 million to establish a cybersecurity hub in the region. With the acquisition of Hivint Strategic, Optus will become one of Australia’s leading cybersecurity service providers for both enterprise and government, claimed John Paitaridis, MD, Optus Business. “This acquisition is timely as an overwhelming 85% of over 200 Australian enterprises we surveyed cited cyber and information security as having the highest disruptive impact on their industries in the next three years,” he said.
“Protecting businesses from data breaches, disruption of operations, and loss of IP and economic assets has become a key objective for C-suite and board-level executives,” Trustwave CEO and Singtel Global Cyber Security CEO Arthur Wong said. “Additionally, Australia’s business leaders already leveraging Hivint as a preferred security advisor now have direct access to the complete Trustwave portfolio of security solutions, managed security services, and advanced education programs.”
