BSI acquires UK cyber-security and assurance experts Info-Assure
4 October 2016
BSI, the business standards company, today announced the acquisition of Info-Assure Ltd, a leading provider of cyber security and information assurance to clients in the government, defence, policing, banking, retail and energy sectors. Info-Assure will become an operating subsidiary of BSI Professional Services, and is the second information security acquisition BSI has made this year. The business will function under the name, “BSI Info-Assure”.
Headquartered in Farnborough, UK, Info-Assure is the latest acquisition for BSI’s newly created Information Security Services division, adding 38 cyber security specialists to the recently acquired 80 strong team from Irish based experts at managing and securing corporate information, BSI Espion. Founder and CEO Martin Walsham and the senior management team will remain with the business, which operates across the UK, US and Europe. Info-Assure is one of only eleven companies currently certified under the CESG Certified Cyber Security Services Scheme.
Howard Kerr, Chief Executive at BSI said: “Recent attacks upon commercial and government data show that no organization can be complacent about information security. Information resilience is a crucial ingredient in the overall success of an organization and our acquisition of Info-Assure further enhances our capability within information security solutions.”
Mark Basham, EMEA Managing Director said: “Information security is a $75 billion market* that impacts upon every aspect of business performance. Martin and his senior management team adds to our world-class professional services capability and I am delighted they will remain with the business. This acquisition further expands our information management and security proposition, enabling us to deliver the right solutions - that have a positive impact and help embed excellence - increasing the resilience of the client’s information systems and processes.”
Continuing to lead the business, Martin Walsham will take a management position within the BSI Information Security Services team. He commented: “Uniting our team’s expertise with BSI’s global reach will accelerate our ambition to become a leading provider of cyber security and information assurance services. We’re delighted to have secured the backing of BSI for our growth strategy.”
Information Security is a fast growing and attractive sector, forecast to grow at 7.4% per annum through to 2019*. The acquisition is expected to unlock growth for BSI Info-Assure by providing access to BSI’s global client base of 80,000 clients across 182 countries. Collectively BSI clients account for 75% of the FTSE 100, 51% of the Fortune 500 and 68% of Nikkei listed companies.
BSI originated the internationally recognized ISO 27000 series of Information Security Standards and is the global leader in providing training and certification to ISO 27001, the established best practice in Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). BSI’s Information Security Services will provide customers with Security Assurance, Incident Response, Penetration Testing and Cyber Lab Assessments.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
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Notes to Editors:
*Gartner 2015 “Forecast Analysis: Information Security, Worldwide, 2Q15 Update”
Info-Assure Ltd. Will now operate under the name, BSI Info-Assure
About BSI
BSI (British Standards Institution) is the business standards company that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. Formed in 1901, BSI was the world’s first National Standards Body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Over a century later it continues to facilitate business improvement across the globe by helping its clients drive performance, manage risk and grow sustainably through the adoption of international management systems standards, many of which BSI originated. Renowned for its marks of excellence including the consumer recognized BSI Kitemark™, BSI’s influence spans multiple domains including Aerospace, Automotive, Built Environment, Food, Healthcare and IT. With 80,000 clients in 182 countries, BSI is an organization whose standards inspire excellence across the globe. To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com
About Info-Assure
Established in 2008 Info-Assure has built a reputation of service excellence and technical security expertise to become a leading provider of cyber security and information assurance services.
Info-Assure are able to deliver services throughout Europe and on a global basis with an extensive experience of delivering to Government; Defence; Policing; Banking; Retail; and energy sectors.
