Atos hoped to replenish its coffers by selling its Big Data & Security branch to Airbus for an amount of 1.5 billion euros. The candidate for takeover finally turned around last week, without further details.
However, Airbus had not given up on developing its cybersecurity offering. This objective is also included in its strategic roadmap. Proof that its ambition was not called into question, the group formalized a merger in this critical sector.
A more modest acquisition than BDS
Airbus Defense & Space declares that it has reached an agreement with a German IT security consulting company and supplier of classified data solutions: Infodas. Based in Cologne, the company employs 250 people for an annual turnover of 50 million euros.
With Infodas, Airbus is therefore choosing an acquisition of a more reasonable size, both in terms of price and complexity of integration. The French group can also count on synergies by adding IT and cybersecurity solutions for the public sector to its portfolio, “particularly for defense and critical infrastructure.”
“Faced with exponential cyber threats, the growing digitalization and connectivity of its products and systems, cybersecurity is a central element of Airbus’ development,” underlines the industrialist.
Airbus also specifies that it has “continuously developed its capabilities and expertise in cybersecurity” in recent years. Technologies and expertise aim to strengthen its own security, as well as that of “major programs”, including the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
€3.4 billion in losses for Atos in 2023
Through Infodas, Airbus is also strengthening its positioning as a trusted player in Germany. The company is in fact certified by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the German counterpart of Anssi, as an IT security service provider in the areas of auditing of information systems. information, advice and penetration tests.
The German player also provides a range of solutions: SDoT Security Gateway. This is approved for classification levels up to secret. “The products are also certified according to the Common Criteria and have other country-specific certificates,” notes Airbus.
As for Atos, which would have liked to convince the European group to replenish its coffers, the news is less encouraging. As announced yesterday, the ESN published its complete results for 2023. And the losses are heavy: 3.4 billion euros.