Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity acquires Web application security specialist DenyAll

Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity, a leading German Cybersecurity company, announces the acquisition of DenyAll, a French web application security and vulnerability management vendor. DenyAll joins Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity, further expanding its current portfolio of network and endpoint security and management solutions, and contributing additional sales and marketing presence. With this acquisition, Rohde & Schwarz strengthens its ability to execute on its objective of becoming the leading European trusted provider of cybersecurity solutions.

Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity has acquired all DenyAll shares from its shareholders. Headquartered in Paris, DenyAll will continue to be managed by the same management team, including Jacques Sebag, its current CEO. The acquisition is a significant step towards Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity’s goal to build the leading European cybersecurity vendor.

“Web applications are a main enabler for the upcoming Cloud business models and thus, driver for the digital transformation of virtually all industries. Providing adequate solutions for securing this transformation is crucial for its success”, says Ammar Alkassar, CEO of Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity.

“By including DenyAll’s strong vulnerability management, web application firewall, and access management solutions into our portfolio, we are enabling these key prerequisites for business innovation in a compelling way”, adds Alkassar. “The behavior-based, application-centric DenyAll solution perfectly complements our full set of proactive network and endpoint security solutions. Together, we will build and deliver an even stronger portfolio of innovative cybersecurity solutions – made in Europe”, Alkassar continues.

“We are delighted to join the Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity team and look forward to taking DenyAll to the next level as a result”, says Jacques Sebag. “We share the same ambition of building a strong European cybersecurity leader with global reach”. On the market perspective, both parties expect significant customer and partner benefits through cross-selling each other’s solutions. “While DenyAll’s business is strongly rooted in France, already a third of our revenue comes from outside our domestic market. Rohde & Schwarz’s global brand, sales and service infrastructure will help us to further expand our international business,” adds Sebag. “In addition, both of us put a strong focus on effective and trustworthy solutions certified by their respective national and supranational security agencies, such as ANSSI in France and BSI in Germany.”

The complementary nature of the products will accelerate both companies’ growth path, leveraging each company’s respective in-country resources and channel partnerships. Technology-wise, integration will lead to innovative, trusted cybersecurity solutions being delivered to more customers worldwide.

Founded in 2001, after an initial incubation period inside Société Générale, DenyAll grew organically and via acquisitions with the support of its investors. Over the last 15 years, the company gained the trust of 600+ customers in 30 countries, all the while being profitable. DenyAll added Vulnerability Management and Web Access Management to its Web Application Firewall product line by acquiring VulnIT in 2012 and BeeWare in 2014.

DenyAll’s search for new investors was grounded in the desire to strengthen its go-to-market capabilities around the world. The acquisition by Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity meets that objective, while also creating great opportunities for employees.

The all share transaction closed on December 20, 2016. It was facilitated by private banking firm AGC Partners and supported by DenyAll’s main shareholders Truffle Capital and Omnes Capital.

The combined product range will be showcased at FIC Forum, Lille (Jan 24-25, 2017), RSA, San Francisco (Feb 13-17, 2017), CeBIT, Hanover (March 20-24, 2017), and Infosecurity UK, London (June 6-8, 2017).