More African cyber defense business could come Orange Business’ way thanks to its acquisition of French IT identity and security management company Atheos, says a local official.

Orange Business Service announced earlier this week that it has acquired Atheos, a French based provider of IT identity and security management services.

According to Orange Business Service the acquisition is to help position the firm as a leading global player in advanced security services.

But Mark McCallum, Johannesburg-based Orange Business Services head of global services Africa, says his unit plans to further enhance integration and managed security services in Africa on the back of the deal.

"Managed security is vital to the African and South African market where we have a strong focus on the financial services and mining verticals. Perimeter defence, security and identity management play a pertinent role in our clients’ businesses," he added.

"We will be moving to incorporate the Atheos services into our portfolio and offerings to the regional market," said McCallum.

Orange Business Service has revealed that it plans to combine the expertise of Atheos with the existing competencies of its security under a revised common banner: ‘Orange Cyberdefense’.

Orange Cyberdefense is planned to offer a credible response to security requirements of large companies and government agencies.