DENVER & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optiv Security, a market-leading provider of end-to-end cyber security solutions, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the completion of a previously announced acquisition of a majority stake of Optiv by KKR. Optiv expects KKR’s investment will allow Optiv to accelerate its service and solutions capabilities, and U.S. and international expansion.
“Optiv’s vision is to become the world’s most advanced, most comprehensive and most trusted partner for cyber security solutions,” said Dan Burns, Optiv’s chief executive officer. “Our new partnership with KKR gives us the resources we need to better help global clients address their full range of cyber risk and security needs, allowing us to ultimately achieve our vision. We look forward to working closely with KKR to successfully execute on our long-term strategy, and to bring maximum value to our clients, employees, partners and shareholders.”
“With the acquisition now complete, KKR is pleased to be partnering with the outstanding Optiv management team to execute against our mutual vision and strategy for Optiv to become a leading, global cyber security powerhouse,” said Herald Chen, head of KKR’s Technology investment team.
KKR is making the investment primarily from its eleventh Americas Private Equity investment fund. KKR has a long record of supporting technology companies, having invested over $18 billion of equity in TMT-related private equity investments since 1983. KKR has experience with a number of security related investments including Darktrace (enterprise cyber threat defense software), Ping Identity (next-generation identity security solutions) and Cylance (next-generation endpoint protection company).
A private equity fund owned by Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Optiv management are maintaining minority interests in Optiv. Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisors to Optiv on the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisors and Jefferies LLC as financial advisors to KKR. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisors to Optiv and Blackstone.
About Optiv Security
Optiv is a market-leading provider of end-to-end cyber security solutions. We help clients plan, build and run successful cyber security programs that achieve business objectives through our depth and breadth of cyber security offerings, extensive capabilities and proven expertise in cyber security strategy, managed security services, incident response, risk and compliance, security consulting, training and support, integration and architecture services, and security technology. Optiv maintains premium partnerships with more than 400 of the leading security technology manufacturers. For more information, visit www.optiv.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/optiv, www.facebook.com/optivinc and www.linkedin.com/company/optiv-inc.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners' capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.
