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MSSP Acquired: Atos Buys Motiv for SOC, Managed Security Services Expansion

Credit: Atos

Atos is acquiring Motiv ICT Security for managed security services along with Motiv’s sovereign Security Operations Center (SOC). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This is M&A deal number 523 that MSSP Alert and sister site ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2020. See the full M&A deal list here.

Atos is a Top 250 MSSP, claims to be one of three worldwide MSSPs -- though we believe at least a dozen or so MSSPs have worldwide presence.

Motiv ICT Security, which employs roughly 180 cybersecurity experts, claims to be the largest independent managed security services (MSS) provider in the Netherlands. Motiv, founded in 1998, has more than 100 100 large and mid-tier customers in the public sector, law enforcement, financial services and healthcare sectors.

Atos Acquires MSSP Motiv ICT Security: Executive Perspectives

In a prepared statement about the deal, Pierre Barnabé, senior executive VP, Head of Big Data & Cybersecurity at Atos, said:

“Motiv supports Atos’ digital security vision for a converged business-driven security paradigm, enabled by sovereign capability and customer intimacy, and made possible through its end-to-end security services. This strategic acquisition further confirms Atos’ leadership in the European cybersecurity market. Motiv’s track record in growth, local expertise and reputation in the market will strengthen Atos’ teams in Northern Europe giving a fantastic opportunity to grow the digital security business. This complements the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions to strengthen our local capability in becoming the key trusted cybersecurity partner for global organizations on their digital journeys.”

Added Aksel Dorèl, CEO of Motiv:

“By joining forces with Atos, we accelerate on our mission to support the secure digital transformation of our customers, unlocking the full potential of Atos’ global cyber security service and capabilities to our customers. We are excited with this important next step for Motiv, our employees and our customers”.

The deal is expected to close in Q1 2021.

Atos Mergers and Acquisitions: Deal List

Atos has acquired at least seven companies in 2020, including cybersecurity firms SEC Consult Group for penetrating testing; Digital.Security for IT cybersecurity consulting; and Paladion for MDR and SOC capabilities.

Meanwhile, M&A activity across the MSSP industry remains steady and strong. Here's a complete deal list.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.