Software vendor Hitachi Systems, Ltd., has announced the acquisition of a Canadian security service provider.
The subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. based in Tokyo, Japan, has acquired Above Security of Blainville, QC, about 1.5 hours west of Montreal.
According to Ray Georges Chehata, president and CEO of Above Security, the deal is more akin to a partnership than a takeover.
The managed security service provider, which has security operations centres (SOC) in Winnipeg, Montreal, Switzerland and one set to open in Mexico, will see its brand, executive and management teams left in tact.
“It’s like having a big brother that is able to help you get you where you need to go,” Chehata told CDN, explaining that Above will continue to focus on expanding in its existing markets.
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After Above’s own acquisition of fellow MSSP Seccuris back in February, it began scouting potential partnerships with underlying conditions that it would remain a separate entity. Following initial discussions with Hitachi Systems about a year ago where the latter agreed to these terms, Chehata said, an acquisition made more sense.
Over the course of the transition, to be finalized in October, Hitachi will begin marketing Above’s ArkAngel security platform in Japan, while the Canadian company will add “A Hitachi Group Company” to its name, and add Hitachi technologies to its portfolio, as well as related “synergies.”
“Our goal is to grow, to bring more resources to the Canadian marketplace,” Chehata said. “It’s great being a part of a brand like Hitachi while being able to keeping the essence of our company.”