Airbus wants part of Atos Evidia’s cyber security business

February 16, 2023, 06:42 PM EST

A 29.9 percent stake in Atos Avidian Digital Transformation, the big data and cyber security business at Airbus, would be a major shift in the competitive European cyber security market if the deal is struck, but other Avidian suitors include Thales and Group One Point. He may still be looking for offers.

Aerospace giant Airbus is seeking a 29.9 percent stake in Atos Evidian’s cybersecurity business, global solutions provider Atos confirmed Thursday.

Paris-based Atos Airbus has offered to acquire about one-third of Avidia as part of a long-term strategic and technology deal.

Atos said Airbus would exercise due diligence on Avidian as the two negotiate “mutually satisfactory terms” on strategic and technology partnerships.

[Related: Atos May Split Into Two Companies: 5 Things To Know]

Airbus was rumored to be interested in acquiring part of Atos’ Ividian business on January 1. At the time, both Atos and Airbus refused to discuss what they said were rumours.

Avidian It was formed in early 2022 following Atos’ decision to split itself into two separate companies. Atos maintains the company’s focus on managed infrastructure services, digital workplace and professional services. Evidian focuses on digital transformation, big data and cyber security.

Atos Airbus said it had no reservations about the strategic deal with Avidian and was open to interest from other partners.

Interest in acquiring part or all of Evidia appears to be high. In addition to the now-confirmed talks between Airbus and Atos for at least part of Evidia going forward, Paris-based Thales and its consultancy Center View Partners are said to have approached a number of investment firms, including Bain Capital, in February 2022. This would result in the private equity firms taking over parts of Atos that Thales does not have an ownership interest in.

Airbus and Thales are major competitors in the European cybersecurity business.

In September, Atos also received an unsolicited letter of intent from Onepoint, a Paris-based digital transformation services provider group in partnership with British private equity fund ICG, for Ividian at an enterprise value of 4.2 billion euros, or about $4.0 billion. Atos said in a statement at the time, “The board of directors met and decided unanimously that it does not concern the interests of the company and its stakeholders.”

According to Atos, Airbus, as a long-term strategic partner in Avidian, will help strengthen Avidian’s European and global reach in cloud, advanced computing, digital security and digitalization.

Atos did not respond to CRN’s request for information by press time.

However, Atos Chairman Bertrand Meunier said in a prepared statement that Airbus’ interest in acquiring the Avidia unit demonstrates how Avidia’s unique capabilities are important in a complex digital environment amid increasingly complex security challenges.

“Through this proposed large-scale partnership, we will accelerate the industrial project and future growth of Evidian, ensuring technological sovereignty in key cloud fields in France and Europe.” Atos and Airbus, including the Avidian teams, have a long history of cooperation and share common values, and will continue to drive innovation and excellence in the future,” said Meunier.