Cyber is hot buy as Camber flexes its muscle
By
Nick Wakeman
Camber jumps into the acquisition game for the first time since being acquired by New Mountain Capital last year.
Camber Corp. has bought a Maryland-based company focused on the intelligence market as part of its strategy to strengthen its national security business.
Terms of the deal for i2S Inc., of Columbia, Md., were not disclosed. With the acquisition, Camber picks up more capabilities in intelligence analysis, knowledge management, systems engineering, advanced software development and enterprise architecture, company officials said.
I2S customers include the National Reconnaissance Office, the National Security Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Among Camber’s capabilities in the intelligence market are security testing of classified networks, policy development, and program management support.
“Combining Camber’s cybersecurity expertise, along with i2S’ analysis talent, creates a solid platform on which to build our cyber enterprise,” said Ken Foxton, Camber vice president of national intelligence programs, in a statement.
The acquisition fits several trends in the market, including the demand for cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities and the value of intelligence analysts, said Phil McMann, managing director for Aronson Capital Partners. Aronson served as an adviser to i2S.
The deal also is recognition by strategic buyers that the NSA will play a critical role in the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, McMann said.
The acquisition is the first by Camber since it was acquired by the private equity group New Mountain Capital in December 2008. That deal was picked as one of the top deals of the year.