Ethical hacking team acquired by UKFast CEO Jones

Secarma, the cyber security business owned by UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones, has acquired Altrincham-based application security specialist Pentest.

The acquired 45-strong team, including a bunch of ethical hackers, work with global blue chip organisations.

Managing director of Pentest John Denneny said: “The deal [worth around £10 million] gives us the opportunity to invest in our people and its future growth to a degree that we could not match standalone.”

Pentest is set relocate to the UKFast Campus in Manchester, where a cyber-security research lab and defensive security operations centre are currently under construction, to add to the company’s hosting and cloud services offering.

Although Secarma will remain headquartered in the UK, the merger allows the business to grow its presence in the US, where Pentest has an existing base of large Silicon Valley clients.

Andy Hague, managing director at Secarma, said: “We expect to bring in some great people and grow our team to more than 100 within the next 12 months.”

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “Our investment in Pentest is an investment in knowledge and talent. It’s a demonstration of our intentions for both our clients at UKFast and the e-commerce and online community that we see security as an area of massive importance. Security is a fundamental part of our future.”

@AntonySavvas