Accenture buys Brazil-based cybersecurity company Real Protect

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Real Protect, a privately held Brazilian managed security and cyber defense services (MSS) provider, expanding its cybersecurity presence and capabilities in Latin America. Financial details were not disclosed.

Real Protect was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro with an office in São Paulo. The Shop with managed security services is operated from two security operations centers and provides customized and packaged solutions to clients across Brazil. The company's portfolio also includes threat monitoring, detection and response capabilities that complement Accenture's managed detection and response offering.

"According to Accenture research, Brazil continues to be a cybercrime hotspot, which we estimate will cause companies to lose more than $100 billion in revenues by 2023 cost could," said Kelly Bissell, who leads Accenture Security globally. "The acquisition of Real Protect is a natural complement to our existing managed security services business, which provides customized industry-focused solutions that enable clients to quickly detect, identify and respond to cyber threats in real time. We welcome Real Protect to Accenture and are excited about what we can accomplish together to help organizations become more resilient. "

Real Protect's approximately 90 cybersecurity professionals, who serve a wide range of clients in healthcare, energy, oil and gas, and financial services, will join Accenture Security's nearly 7,000 employees worldwide. Daniel Lemos, CEO of Real Protect, will lead Accenture's Managed Security Services business in Latin America.

"We are pleased to join Accenture and to be the Bandwidth of MSS capabilities to build on the successes we have achieved in our business to date," Lemos said. "Our shared commitment to providing market-leading cybersecurity solutions positions us to drive growth in the adoption of these services in Brazil and throughout Latin America."

Real Protect was the first company in Latin America to receive the international unified certification standard from the MSP Alliance, the world's largest industry association and certification body for cloud computing and managed services professionals.

"In Brazil, there are a variety of cybercriminal groups with specific tactics. This is a cyber threat that can be addressed by specialized Brazilian cyber defense and incident response specialists," said Paulo Ossamu, Accenture Technology Lead for Latin America. "Real Protect will bring this expertise to complement our teams across the region and strengthen our commitment to securing our clients' businesses across their ecosystems in Latin America."

Accenture became one of the world's leading providers of managed security services with the acquisition of Symantec's Cyber Security Services business in January 2020. In March and April, Symantec's cyber defense capabilities were further strengthened through the acquisition of Context Information Security and Revolutionary Security 2020, respectively.

Accenture is a global professional services firm with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. They combine unmatched experience and expertise in more than 40 industries to deliver strategy, consulting, interactive, technology and operations services - all with the world's largest network of advanced technology and intelligent operations centers. Their 514,000 employees deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving customers in more than 120 countries.