The French multinational company Thales Group has announced the acquisition of Gemalto, a Netherlands-based digital security company, for US$5.4bn
This merger creates a global enterprise in digital identity and security with 80,000 employees in 68 countries.
Thales will incorporate the talent and technologies of Gemalto to develop secure solutions to address the major challenges such as unmanned air traffic management, data and network cybersecurity, airport security and financial transaction security.
The company stated that it will provide a seamless response to customers, including critical infrastructure providers such as banks, telecom operators, government agencies, utilities and other industries as they meet the challenges of identifying people and objects and keeping data secure.
It added that it can now cover the entire critical decision chain in an increasingly interconnected and vulnerable world, with capabilities spanning software development, data processing, real-time decision support, connectivity, and end-to-end network management.
With US$1.1bn a year devoted to self-funded R&D, the group will continue to innovate in its major markets, drawing in particular on its digital expertise in the Internet of Things, Big Data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Patrice Caine, chairman and CEO, Thales, said, “With Gemalto, a leader in digital identification and data protection, Thales has acquired a set of highly complementary technologies and competencies with applications in all of our five vertical markets, which are now redefined as aerospace; space; ground transportation; digital identity and security; and defence and security. These are the smart technologies that help people make the best choices at every decisive moment.”
