CSO Group and xAmplify announce merger

Australian cybersecurity business CSO Group and AI integrator xAmplify have announced that they intend to merge. The companies say the merger will create the nation’s largest Australian-owned and -operated integrator of AI, cybersecurity, technology and business automation services.

Once complete, the merged business will be able to deliver AI, automation and cyber solutions to over 110 enterprise and government organisations across Australia, spanning industries such as defence, federal and state government, energy, financial services, health, logistics, retail, construction and mining.

The new entity will be headquartered in Sydney with operations across every state and territory, and a combined headcount of more than 160 staff.

“The merger of CSO Group and xAmplify will create Australia’s largest home-grown cybersecurity, AI and automation consulting business, with a gross turnover exceeding AU$100 million annually,” said Michael Simkovic, CEO and Founder of CSO Group. “We see an enormous market and growth opportunity to disrupt and challenge the traditional large global service provider models.

“The integration of the two businesses will create an amplifier effect, enabling us to deliver a new generation of innovative and integrated business solutions with the convergence of cybersecurity, automation and AI technologies.”

The companies say the merger will enable government and corporate clients to access the capabilities of both CSO Group and xAmplify, spanning strategy, governance, risk and compliance, managed security, AI and both technology and business automation services. It will also bring a renewed cybersecurity lens to provision high-performance IT service and sovereign-secure AI technologies.

“This merger will create a fully integrated national business that will work across every state and territory, enabling clients to leverage AI, automation and cybersecurity to deliver greater innovation, efficiency, assurance and business value,” said Wayne Gowland, CEO and Co-founder, xAmplify. “The business and technology worlds are changing rapidly, and our customers are wanting to transform and adopt the next generation of groundbreaking technologies in a safe and secure way. Together, we aspire to create a digitally advanced and protected Australia by helping clients to identify, solve and manage their real-world problems of today, while safeguarding them for tomorrow.”

The merger is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024.

Image caption: (L–R) Michael Simkovic, CEO and Founder, CSO Group, with Wayne Gowland, CEO and Co-Founder, xAmplify.