Performanta acquires Identity Experts following private equity investment

Maidenhead-based MSSP expands after Beech Tree investment announcement last month

Performanta has acquired Microsoft Gold security partner and identity and access management (IAM) specialist Identity Experts hot on the heels of recieving private equity investment last month.

Performanta landed backing from private equity firm Beech Tree, which acquired roughly half of the business in a deal completed last month.

The Maidenhead-based Check Point partner says the move to acquire Identity Experts will "extend important security capabilities further across the Microsoft portfolio, including Azure AD, Sentinel, ATP, O365 and IAM".

"Together with Identity Experts, we are able to address the mounting security challenges and plug a critical gap in the market, especially amongst clients with a Microsoft focused security roadmap," said Performanta CEO Guy Golan.

"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."

It represents Performanta's first acquisition since the private equity investment, with Golan telling CRN last month that the new investment will be put towards international growth, doubling its R&D team and expanding its security operations centre in Maidenhead.

He also hopes the business can increase its UK-based headcount to 60 staff over the next six to nine months and is expecting UK revenues to double over that time.

The founders of Identity Experts, Paul Green and Matt Brunton, will continue to work with the business and focus on its Microsoft portfolio.

"We are very excited to be part of this journey," Green said.

"We 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."