LevelBlue to Acquire Trustwave, Creating the World’s Largest Security Service Provider

LevelBlue Strengthens Market-Leading Managed Detection and Response Service with Advanced AI Capabilities and Adds FedRAMP and StateRAMP Certifications

LevelBlue , a global leader in AI-driven, cloud-based managed security services (MSS), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Trustwave , a global provider of cybersecurity and managed detection and response (MDR) services from MC ² Security Fund (MC ² ) , a private equity fund founded by internationally renowned security and growth advisory firm The Chertoff Group . This strategic acquisition complements LevelBlue’s recent agreement to acquire Aon’s Cybersecurity Consulting business (formerly Stroz Friedberg), further solidifying the company’s market leadership – combining two premier managed security service providers (MSSPs) with an expanded, comprehensive suite of services to deliver unmatched cybersecurity outcomes and stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat landscape. The acquisition will create the industry’s largest pure-play MSSP.

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The acquisition will integrate LevelBlue’s extensive expertise in strategic risk management and cybersecurity infrastructure with Trustwave’s Fusion platform and cloud-native MDR service. The MDR service is designed to provide 24/7 cybersecurity protection to global organizations. The combined capabilities will provide enterprises with unprecedented visibility and control, enabling them to configure, monitor and manage security resources in any environment, thereby improving overall cyber resilience. The combined portfolio will also establish a strategically unified cybersecurity managed defense platform, which is supported by LevelBlue’s AI threat detection platform and the threat research and intelligence capabilities of the elite team SpiderLabs to protect critical assets in cloud, hybrid and local environments.

Earlier this year, Trustwave became the first single-service MDR service provider to achieve full Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization status . This outstanding achievement, combined with Trustwave’s StateRAMP authorization , enables LevelBlue to meet the U.S. Department of Defense’s stringent “U.S. View Only” requirements for the Defense Industrial Base, as well as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements for MDR services in the federal, state and local government markets.

“The acquisition of Trustwave marks a pivotal moment for LevelBlue and the cybersecurity industry,” said Robert McCullen, Chairman and CEO of LevelBlue. “Trustwave’s deep expertise in managed detection and response services, combined with its unparalleled threat intelligence from SpiderLabs and critical FedRAMP and StateRAMP authorizations, aligns perfectly with our vision to provide organizations with simplified and powerful cybersecurity protections. This strategic move demonstrates our commitment to delivering better cybersecurity outcomes for our customers and enhances our global go-to-market capabilities and capabilities in the U.S. federal, state, and local government markets.”

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“We are excited to be working with LevelBlue to drive our next phase of growth and unlock greater cyber value for our customers,” said Eric Harmon, CEO of Trustwave. “The threat landscape continues to evolve at an increasingly rapid pace. This announcement solidifies Trustwave’s market leadership, and joining forces with LevelBlue enables us to further strengthen our joint leadership position, advance our offensive and defensive security portfolio, and drive additional innovation to further protect our customers from and enhance their capabilities against disruptive and harmful cyber threats.”

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a global presence and more than 1,000 dedicated security professionals, Trustwave is recognized by analysts as a leader in managed detection and response, managed security services, cybersecurity consulting services, penetration testing, database security and email security. The elite Trustwave SpiderLabs team provides industry-leading threat research, intelligence and threat hunting, all of which are integrated into Trustwave’s services and products to increase network resilience in the era of inevitable cyberattacks.

“The coming together of two long-time leaders in MSS and MDR represents market maturation and industry consolidation, but also a powerful business opportunity,” said Christina Richmond, principal analyst at Richmond Advisory Group. “The combination of Trustwave’s SpiderLabs team and Fusion platform with LevelBlue’s threat intelligence and machine learning capabilities, powered by the Open Threat Exchange (OTX), will enhance threat detection and response on a cloud-based platform. Add to that the recently announced acquisition of Aon’s cybersecurity and intellectual property litigation advisory team, and the potential for a full-service global cybersecurity and risk management company is clear.”

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“Joining forces with LevelBlue represents an exciting new chapter for Trustwave and its customers,” said Chad Sweet , Chairman of Trustwave and Co-Founder of The Chertoff Group / MC ^2. “The combination of LevelBlue’s AI-powered threat detection and Trustwave’s FedRAMP and StateRAMP-authorized Fusion Intelligent Security Operations Platform provides cutting-edge cybersecurity protection for enterprise and government customers.”

“This acquisition is a key component of LevelBlue’s broader strategy to merge the best organizations with its own capabilities to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. This portfolio integration is strategically designed to meet the growing demand for more comprehensive and integrated managed cybersecurity solutions, positioning LevelBlue to become the largest independent pure-play MSSP in the world.”

Shawn Hakl, head of commercial products at AT&T, added, “The addition of FedRAMP- and StateRAMP-certified managed detection and response capabilities is an exciting expansion of LevelBlue’s managed security services. This combination of businesses positions LevelBlue as a strategic provider of cybersecurity services within the AT&T portfolio, especially for our valued federal customers.”

Santander served as financial advisor to LevelBlue and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor. Guggenheim Securities served as financial advisor to Trustwave and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman served as legal advisor. The Chertoff Group will work with LevelBlue to provide strategic insights to further accelerate growth in the MDR market space. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed and are subject to customary closing conditions.

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Source: businesswire