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The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Accenture to buy Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX for reported $650 million
Accenture said on Thursday it will buy Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX in its largest-ever deal in the sector, with the Australian Financial Review valuing the transaction at more than A$1 billion ($650 million). A wave of devastating cyberattacks has battered Australia, including a 2022 breach at telecom major Optus that exposed the personal data of up to 10 million users, and a hack on health insurer Medibank affecting nearly 10 million customers. In July, Qantas Airways disclosed that criminals had infiltrated one of its call centres, accessing personal information of six million customers. Private equity firm BGH Capital, which is selling CyberCX, has not disclosed any financial terms. Accenture declined to provide additional details, while BGH Capital didn't respond to Reuters' requests for comment on the reported valuation. The deal underscores the surging demand for advanced digital security services as businesses worldwide face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data. Melbourne-based CyberCX was formed in 2019 through the merger of 12 smaller cybersecurity firms backed by BGH Capital. The company now employs about 1,400 people and runs security operations centres across Australia and New Zealand, with offices in London and New York. CyberCX is led by John Paitaridis, formerly managing director of Optus Business, and Chief Strategy Officer Alastair MacGibbon, Australia's former national cybersecurity coordinator. The leadership's ties to Optus are notable, given the telecommunications company's 2022 data breach, which exposed names, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, email contacts and passport and driver's license numbers. Since 2015, Accenture has completed 20 security acquisitions, including recent purchases of Brazilian cyber defense firm Morphus, MNEMO Mexico and Spain-based Innotec Security. On the domestic front, the firm entered into a $700 million collaborative agreement with Telstra in February, aiming to implement AI capabilities across the telecommunications company.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Accenture acquires CyberCX for $650m amid rising cyber threats
SYDNEY: Accenture announced its acquisition of Australian cybersecurity firm CyberCX, marking its largest deal in the sector. The Australian Financial Review reported the transaction value at over A$1 billion ($650 million). Australia has faced severe cyberattacks, including the 2022 Optus breach exposing 10 million users' data. Health insurer Medibank also suffered a hack affecting nearly 10 million customers last year. Qantas Airways revealed in July that hackers accessed six million customers' data through a call centre breach. Private equity firm BGH Capital, selling CyberCX, has not disclosed financial details. Accenture declined to comment further, while BGH Capital did not respond to Reuters' queries on valuation. The deal highlights growing demand for cybersecurity services amid escalating global threats. CyberCX, formed in 2019, merged 12 smaller firms backed by BGH Capital. The Melbourne-based company employs 1,400 staff with operations in Australia, New Zealand, London, and New York. CEO John Paitaridis previously led Optus Business, while CSO Alastair MacGibbon was Australia's ex-cybersecurity coordinator. CyberCX's leadership links to Optus are significant following its 2022 breach exposing sensitive customer data. Accenture has acquired 20 security firms since 2015, including Morphus, MNEMO Mexico, and Innotec Security. In February, Accenture partnered with Telstra in a $700m deal to integrate AI capabilities. The acquisition reinforces Accenture's cybersecurity expansion as digital threats intensify globally. - Reuters
