News Review: BAE to acquire stratsec | ADM Feb 2011

BAE Systems has acquired Australian information security company stratsec.net Pty Ltd.

Operating from facilities in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. stratsec has been providing information security consulting and testing services to government and commercial customers since 2004.

The acquisition of stratsec will add capabilities and footprint in the growing area of cyber security and intelligence, a move foreshadowed by BAE Systems’ CEO, Jim Mcdowell in an interview with ADM in November.

“The other growth market for us is security, a partial defence market,” McDowell said.

“All of that is fungible across the commercial market, the banks, the insurance companies, the other agencies of government – the Attorney General and so on – so we see significant growth there, particularly around cyber and the movement of product that we have in the Detica company in the UK and the US into this market.

“We probably have a small $20 million business today in security: could we get that up to $100 million in five years? I would think so.

“This acquisition supports our strategy to expand our existing information security services, knowledge and experience and is consistent with BAE Systems’ strategy to develop its cyber and security business in its home markets."

“The opportunity to be part of BAE Systems is excellent news for stratsec, and our clients and staff,” Peter Lilley, CEO of stratsec said.

“We will be able to accelerate our plans to add new cyber security capabilities, offering a wider range of services to clients and engage in a greater level of cyber-security research.”