Morson Group swoops for cyber security firm

Manchester-based human resources specialist Morson Group has acquired cyber security managed services and consultancy company ESP Group, also headquartered in the city.

The deal sees ESP become Morson Cyber Security, consolidating the company’s expansion in the increasingly competitive field following high demand and a shortage of skilled personnel.

The new division specialises in cyber security managed services for the private and public sector, including SMEs.

The most up to date accounts for Morson – to December, 2015 – show turnover of £771.9m and pre-tax profits of £19m.

Morson Cyber Security now has ambitions to provide multiple regional security operations centres (SOCs) across the UK.

The company’s current SOC in Manchester is supported by a ‘List X’ grade data centre, providing the highest levels of security as part of a proven solution that is already used by corporate and public sector organisations.

Morson Cyber Security also has a five-year strategic partnership with Assuria – the software provider cyber software.

Assuria’s solutions are used in classified Government environments across the globe to reduce risk, improve defences and meet regulatory compliance needs.

Morson Group chief executive Ged Mason explained: “Cybercrime and data vulnerability are massive issues for organisations of all types and sizes, which has created substantial demand for cyber security consultants across all sectors.

“With this acquisition, we have increased our team with some of the cyber security sector’s leading experts and brought a tried and tested managed service capability in-house, enabling us to offer clients a full-service with robust and cost effective protection for their business.”

Director of Morson Cyber Security, Mark Howarth, added: “A recent article advises cyberattacks on SMEs have cost the UK economy £5.3bn, causing a massive disruption to trading. Costs include remediation of systems, potential fines, as well as damage to a company’s reputation and supply chain.”

“As part of Morson Group, we can make our proven technologies and expertise available to a much wider audience and, because our managed services provision is scalable, the potential is huge.

“Our aim is to combine our sector expertise and resources with the Group’s managed service-driven approach to offer clients robust solutions tailored to meet their specific needs.”

Terry Pudwell, chief executive and co-founder of Assuria, concluded: “We’ve been working for more than a year to establish a new managed security services operation in partnership with ESP and I couldn’t be more delighted that Morson Group has now joined forces with ESP.

“As Assuria’s platinum partner, Morson Cyber Security, with its scale, experience and strength in depth, is the most exciting new company to enter into cyber security managed services in a long time and is going to make a very positive difference.”