Swiss Post, a well-known conglomerate based in Bern, Switzerland, has made a strategic decision to acquire Open Systems, a secure access service edge (SASE) stalwart located in Zurich. The primary goal of this acquisition is to enhance secure communications and data protection for both public authorities and private companies in Switzerland.

The acquisition of Open Systems by Swiss Post is seen as a significant move to provide cutting-edge network and security management solutions at a global scale. Open Systems, which has been majority-owned by private equity firm EQT since 2017, recently split its managed detection and response business into a separate entity called Ontinue. This separation allowed Open Systems to focus more on its core SASE business.

Nicole Burth, the CEO of Swiss Post Communications Services, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating that Open Systems complements their existing cybersecurity offerings and aligns well with their strategy of bringing enhanced cybersecurity solutions to Swiss customers. The unique cloud security solutions provided by Open Systems are expected to make business networks and communications more secure and efficient.

Founded in 1990, Open Systems boasts a workforce of over 260 employees and acquired Swiss data science, AI, cloud, and cyber services provider Sqooba in January 2020. The company’s successful track record, coupled with its expertise in network and cybersecurity solutions, made it an attractive target for Swiss Post. The deal is pending approval from the German Competition Authority due to Open Systems’ operations in Germany and is anticipated to be finalized in the fall.

Daniel Neuhaus, the CEO of Open Systems, expressed confidence in the partnership with Swiss Post, emphasizing their shared values of trust, reliability, security, and customer focus. The acquisition is expected to enhance Swiss Post’s digital security services and enable the implementation of secure communications platforms for both public and private entities.

The specialized network and cybersecurity solutions offered by Open Systems, particularly its SASE platform, will play a crucial role in safeguarding the digital communications networks of Swiss Post’s clients. This partnership is viewed as a strategic step towards reinforcing the digital security landscape in Switzerland.

Under EQT’s ownership, Open Systems experienced substantial growth, doubling its sales and tripling its EBITDA. The company transitioned from being a managed security service provider to focusing more on network transformation and cloud-based solutions. Open Systems’ SASE platform, known for seamless network and security integration, has been instrumental in protecting the data of organizations across more than 180 countries.

Analysts have praised Open Systems for its innovative technologies and solutions. The company was recognized as the highest-rated vendor in the Forrester Wave for zero trust edge service providers. Despite receiving accolades for its service orchestration and incident resolution capabilities, Open Systems was advised to improve areas related to integration, cloud access, and experience assurance.

As the acquisition process progresses, Swiss Post and Open Systems are optimistic about the synergies that will result from their collaboration. The strategic alignment of their expertise and capabilities is expected to bring about enhanced cybersecurity solutions for businesses and organizations in Switzerland and beyond.

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