CEO of Performanta, Guy Golan.

Performanta, a global provider of managed cyber security services to enterprise customers, has announced the acquisition of Identity Experts, a Microsoft Gold Security Partner and Identity & Access Management (IAM) specialist consultancy.

The move follows a significant investment round from Beech Tree Private Equity and according to Performanta, will allow it to extend important security capabilities further across the Microsoft portfolio – including Azure AD, Sentinel, ATP, O365 and IAM - that clients and the market alike are showing a significant increase in demand and interest in.

In March this year ITWeb reported that UK's Beech Tree Private Equity said it was making a “significant investment” in Performanta.

According to the report, Beech Tree will support Performanta's plans to make strategic acquisitions in core markets to expand the group, accelerate focus on enterprise customers and the channel, and further invest into its products.

CEO of Performanta, Guy Golan is quoted as saying: “We have built a strong relationship with Beech Tree due to its strong sector insights and are pleased to be partnering to help accelerate our growth to the next level, providing cyber safety to the global market.”

MEA capabilities

Performanta believes the acquisition of Identity Experts will enhance in-house capabilities in the MEA region and abroad though Identity Experts’ close relationship and experience with Microsoft security technologies to help prevent data breaches, fraud and protect privacy in the MEA region.

“This past year, global organisations have had to cope with an unprecedented amount of change in how they do business, as well as security and identity risks associated with working outside an office perimeter - and the MEA region is no exception. As such, many have turned to Microsoft for all manner of services, including security,” said Golan.

“Together with Identity Experts, we are able to address the mounting security challenges in the region and plug a critical gap in the market, especially amongst clients with a Microsoft-focused security roadmap. Though we will of course maintain our established footprint across the entire cybersecurity landscape, with Identity Experts, this will be extended to a truly broad range of services. This puts us in a unique position to provide the market with a security outcome-based approach - irrespective of technology provider. Whether it’s Microsoft or a portfolio of other security vendors, Performanta can provide integrated and fully managed services 24/7.”

He told ITWeb Africa: “Since South Africa is playing a major role in Performanta’s managed services we see Identity Expert’s acquisition as a bridge to enhance our local capabilities and strengthen our relationship with Microsoft SA.

“Many of our South African clients are considering Microsoft as their security vendor of choice. Not many partners are able to provide a genuine client-centric that takes a hybrid approach of Microsoft and other vendors into consideration.

“With the acquisition of IE and with our current offering we see our SA office grow in capability. We plan to employ more local people that are focused in Microsoft Security and we plan to provide stronger Microsoft-based managed services to the local market and to European markets.”

The acquisition means that Identity Experts will become part of the Performanta Group, now over 150-strong with founders of Identity Experts, Paul Green and Matt Brunton, continuing to drive the Group’s focus on the Microsoft portfolio.

“Identity Experts is one of Microsoft’s key identity and security partners, and has been for many years,” said Green. “Bringing this experience and skillset into the Performanta Group and being able to expand the security capabilities we can offer to our customers with Performanta’s SOC and MDR services achieves one of Identity Expert’s key strategic goals. We are very excited to be part of this journey and feel that the expertise and IP across the enlarged group will provide a truly unique approach to ensuring customers remain secure and safe, allowing them to continue to grow their own businesses whilst we support them globally 24/7.”

Performanta has extensive cybersecurity expertise and is led by a senior team of industry experts who have operated in the global enterprise security market for over 20 years.

The company is headquartered in Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK with operations in South Africa, Germany, Australia and the US.