Booz Allen makes acquisition to expand global commercial business
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By
Nick Wakeman
Booz Allen is also looking to complement its delivery of cyber solutions to federal agencies with this move.
Booz Allen Hamilton is expanding its commercial cyber business with the acquisition of Defy Security.
The move is also intended to benefit how Booz Allen delivers cyber products and services to its federal clients. This includes Booz Allen’s Vellox Reverser product, which is an artificial intelligence-based malware analysis tool.
Defy is headquartered in Pittsburgh and employs approximately 100 cyber engineers, solution architects and sales professionals. Booz Allen did not disclose the dollar value of the transaction announced Tuesday and expects to close the move by June 30.
The acquisition supports Booz Allen’s work in the U.K. and European Union, and broadens its international customer base.
“This acquisition helps us deliver resilient cybersecurity services and technologies for leading enterprises like never before,” said Andrew Turner, executive vice president and head of Booz Allen’s global commercial business.
Defy will operate as a subsidiary of Booz Allen.
Booz Allen’s advisers on the deal included AGC Partners, PwC, King & Spalding and Oliver Wyman. Defy was advised by J.P. Morgan Securities and Choate.
The sale of Defy marks an exit for Sverica Capital, which acquired the company 2020.
In 2022, Booz Allen divested its commercial managed threat business to Security On-Demand.
Booz Allen retained its cyber consulting business with commercial customers and its advanced threat intelligence, managed detection and response, and other cyber services to its federal clients.