Cybersecurity is definitely an area highly coveted by telecom operators. Far from the narrow margins and fierce competition that govern their historic businesses, “cyber” constitutes a welcome growth driver. Their BtoB divisions such as SFR Business and Bouygues Telecom Entreprises have made it a key area of development. The latest, Free Pro intends to “disrupt” this very lucrative market by recently launching a turnkey offer.
The number one in the sector, Orange also has strong ambitions for its dedicated entity. After crossing the billion euros in revenue in 2022, Orange Cyberdefense has set itself the goal of becoming “a leader in Europe” and is targeting a turnover of 1.3 billion euros by 2025.
During the presentation of the annual results, the subsidiary, chaired since April by Hugues Foulon (X, ENSTA) announced that it will strengthen itself in the VSE and SME market. It also intends to pursue its external growth strategy. After completing two acquisitions in Switzerland in November, Orange Cyberdefense could take over part of Risk&Co according to The echoes.
“Strategic contracts for the State and large groups”
Created in 1994, Risk&Co presents itself as a Security and Defense Services Company (ESSD) specializing in the areas of personal and infrastructure security, risk management and cybersecurity.
Based in Levallois-Perret, the company has 200 employees with agencies in Lyon and Rennes and subsidiaries in Dubai, Nigeria and South Africa. Sanofi, SNCF, Société Générale, Sodexo and TotalEnergies are among its customer references. Lacking liquidity, it was bought in 2019 by a competing ESSD, Anticip.
This was obviously not enough. Appointed CEO in Printemps, Philippe Demigné (co-founder of Bertin Technologies) was unable to turn things around. Weighed down by debt, Risk&Co was placed in receivership by the Nanterre commercial court at the end of August. Since then, the judicial administrator has received several offers of partial recovery.
Orange Cyberdefense has reportedly submitted an offer to take over its cyber and engineering activities. “If the entire division only weighs around fifteen million euros in turnover, it includes strategic contracts for the State and large groups who are very vigilant about the future of Risk&Co, as well as the profile and the solidity of the buyer “, precise The echoes. A good point for Orange.
Sale by cut
According to Letter A, The historic operator would not, however, be alone in the ranks. Foliateam would also have submitted an offer on the same scope. Binge with acquisitions – 18 since its creation in 1971 – this alternative telecom operator recently bought a division of Scopelec, a company also placed in bankruptcy following the loss of its main customer, namely… Orange.
Two other potential buyers would only be interested in Risk&Co’s cyber activity. These would be ESN HeadMind Partners and ChapsVision, a French publisher specializing in data analysis. Finally, Scutum Security First and Amaran covet the company’s international and security activity.