Accenture expands cyber portfolio with 6point6 deal
Global IT services and consulting firm Accenture has purchased UK tech consultancy firm 6point6. The deal comes as Accenture looks to expand its cyber support across Europe.
2024 looks set to see a number of key shifts when it comes to how companies interact with third-party vendors and assess their security measures. In the wake of mounting cyber security threats in recent years, the advent of AI is seen by many as an opportunity to fortify their defences. As such, the traditional checklist approach to mitigating third-party breach threats will likely evolve as businesses increasingly transition from manual assessments to automated procedures.
Adopting AI for cyber security will be easier said than done though – and organisations will increasingly look for support from external experts, to get the most from their new solutions. To that end, Accenture has been rapidly scaling its cyber services offering across Europe with a string of deals.
In December 2023, Accenture signed an agreement to acquire Italian consultancy firms Customer Management IT and SirfinPA, which specialise in delivering public safety measures. This merger aligned with the company's focus on building core IT requirements for government agencies. Meanwhile, it also acquired Innotec, Spain's most prominent cyber security service provider, a month earlier, to better support multinational companies with a presence in the country.
Now, Accenture has followed this up with a deal to acquire 6point6. While the details of the move have not been disclosed, the UK-based company’s 400 workers will now join Accenture to support its efforts in the British market.
"With Accenture's breadth of consulting and technology services, it will add to our innovative team to help clients reinvent themselves with solutions that are fit for the future," said Emma Kendrew, Accenture’s UK technology lead.
Founded in 2012, Manchester-based 6point6 has supported large digital transformation projects for the UK government, including the HM Court and Tribunal Services. In addition to digital transformation and modernisation of legacy systems, the company has also helped companies adopt machine learning and support cybersecurity with services such as penetration testing and cyber incidence response management.
Nefyn Jones, CEO for 6point6, added, “Today marks a significant milestone for 6point6. Our ambition has always been to establish a leading technology consulting firm where industry talent can turn great ideas into reality for our clients. Joining forces with Accenture represents a new chapter in our journey, bringing together shared values and visions for the future.”