Thales acquires cyber security business of Alcatel-Lucent

Defence firm Thales has acquired the French global telecommunications equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent’s cyber-security services & solutions and the communications security business.

The acquisition forms part of a strategic partnership established in May, which would enable both companies to offer advanced solutions targeted at bolstering communication security.

The collaboration would also leverage Thales’ skills in cyber security services, and Alcatel-Lucent’s expertise in secure networks and security features in its telecommunications device.

Thales said in a statement: "Thanks to this strategic partnership between the two companies, Thales strengthens its position in cyber-security consistently with its ambition to grow in promising security sectors and to offer solutions that ensure the integrity and resilience of its customers’ information systems."

The latest transaction would mark Alcatel Lucent’s exit from security market and enable it to focus on bolstering its end-to-end network security offerings with the integration of security expertise in telecommunication products with corresponding services.

As part of the transaction, about 100 staff members mainly based in France and in three other European countries will join Thales.

In August, Thales bagged a £3.8m contract from the UK Home Office to deliver the IT infrastructure supporting its non-EU foreign residency sanctions.