Securing the future together

FluidOne's cyber division Cyber Security Associates (CSA) has acquired SureCloud Cyber Services, a UK-based company with expertise in CREST and NCSC CHECK certified penetration testing and specialist cyber risk consulting. The acquisition will enable CSA to enhance its services and provide its customers with a more comprehensive range of cyber security solutions against the ever-growing cyber threat. SureCloud Cyber Services, was an arm of SureCloud, and has been successfully divested in a strategic move to sharpen the company's focus on its foundational Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software offerings. This transaction enables SureCloud to not only concentrate on but also to enhance its core GRC business, integrating Continuous Control Monitoring (CCM) to ensure real-time oversight and management of enterprise risks and compliance.

FluidOne invested in CSA in 2020 as a Centre of Excellence for cyber security following market demand for expertise to protect customers from the growing threat landscape. Surveying our customers their feedback was that IT MSP's shouldn’t "mark their own homework" and this led us to operate CSA as a separate division dedicated to cyber security. Led by Dave Woodfine, the former commander of the MOD Cyber Defence Unit, CSA excels in Monitoring and Detection, with particular strength in managed services using Microsoft Sentinel and the wider Microsoft suite of security products. For expertise in penetration testing and incident response, the team have historically partnered with specialist suppliers. The SureCloud Cyber Services acquisition brings these skills in-house, with an expert team of 28 employees led by Commercial Director, Ben Jepson, who has been with the business for 4 years, following 16 years with NCC. Ben will join the board at CSA reporting to the MD Dave Woodfine. The SureCloud Cyber Services portfolio perfectly complements that offered by CSA and the acquisition will benefit both businesses clients.

FluidOne’s Connected Cloud Solutions are designed to enable its customer's people to work from anywhere, connecting to their business applications simply and securely. As businesses progress their digital transformation, the continued demand to move applications to the cloud, combined with hybrid working, means the cyber security risks for businesses continue to increase. Over 60% of medium and large UK businesses reported a cyber breach in the past 12 months. This makes Cyber Security a vital part of the FluidOne strategy and solution set. Following on from the December 2023 acquisition of CNC, the SureCloud Cyber Services acquisition takes the FluidOne group to £109m revenue and 500 employees, with over 50% now being IT and Cyber Security.

Commenting on the acquisition Russell Horton, FluidOne CEO and Chairman of CSA, said:

“During the acquisition process we have got to know Ben and the senior SureCloud team, combined with surveying their key customers. This has reinforced the quality and expertise of their staff, and a strong alignment in culture and drive to deliver great customer service. We will work together to deliver a world-class cyber Centre of Excellence that together with the other FluidOne pillars will strengthen our range of Connected Cloud Solutions.”

Ben Jepson, Commercial Director, SureCloud Cyber Services, added:

“I am extremely excited at the prospect of integrating with one of the best cyber providers in the UK - Cyber Security Associates (CSA), part of the FluidOne group. Prior to the acquisition process we have worked on a number of joint bids with CSA and it became immediately

apparent that both businesses had a complementary service portfolio and were an excellent cultural fit. CSA’s focus on technical excellence, its customers and dedication to developing its people echoes our own ambitions. Having a home in a fast-growing business dedicated to cyber will enable us to provide clear career paths for our current people and attract new talent – both of which will enable us to increase the value delivered to our joint customers. I’m looking forward to getting started on this new challenge and for the broader team and our clients to see the huge potential that I have experienced throughout the last couple of months.”

Dave Woodfine, Founder and MD Cyber Security Associates added:

“Both myself and James Griffiths as the co-founders of Cyber Security Associates are delighted to add the world-class cyber services that SureCloud Cyber Services brings to the growing portfolio of CSA capabilities. Having met Ben and his team at SureCloud we see a great opportunity to enhance the range of cyber services we can offer both existing and new clients through the provision of penetration testing, red teaming and specialist consultancy. The addition of CREST and CHECK certified testing alongside a team who understand the specialism of cyber in operational technology and the Payment Card Industry (PCI) will accelerate the growth of CSA this year and beyond. More importantly as one team we will be able to work together to close the cyber threat gap and enable all our clients to be more secure.”

Post-acquisition, FluidOne’s CEO, Russell Horton, is to become Chairman of SureCloud Cyber Services, with FluidOne Directors Simon Ward, Chris Rogers and Roy Hastings also becoming board directors.