Orro expands focus on govt agencies

Network and digital infrastructure provider Orro Group has announced the acquisition of longstanding security partner RIOT Solutions as part of a growth strategy for its cybersecurity and digital network business.

RIOT Solutions offers a range of managed security and network design solutions to almost 100 customers across the private and public sectors, including enterprises, state government agencies, regional councils, transportation, utilities and manufacturing organisations. Services include threat detection and incident response, managed security services and asset visibility services.

Following the acquisition Orro will have more than 110 full-time employees based in Brisbane, including executives, sales, admin and services personnel.

“We welcome RIOT into the Orro family. Not only is RIOT a nationally recognised security and network design provider, but it is also an organisation we have worked closely with for a number of years. This acquisition will extend our security offering and give us a significantly increased presence in Queensland,” said Rodd Cunico, Chief Executive Officer, Orro Group.

As part of the expansion in Brisbane, the company also announced it would operate a security operations centre (SOC) dedicated to servicing a single large government agency — something it says is a local industry first.

According to Cunico, the company’s intent is to expand upon and replicate this model across other government agencies in future, in a prime example of Orro’s investment commitment into Queensland’s local technology industry.

The new facility will be one of four SOCs maintained by Orro across the world including another state-of-the-art facility launched by RIOT in Brisbane last year, which has a specific focus on assessing cyber risks, anticipating cyber events and neutralising attacks for customers, including almost 30 government agencies.

Gartner predicted that investment in information security and risk management in Australia grew to $5.1 billion last year, increasing 7.3% compared to 2020.

Other strengthened capabilities following acquisition

The acquisition will also further Orro’s critical infrastructure strategy, such as the areas of networking architecture and cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) — an area that RIOT has demonstrated capability in for a number of years.

Through the acquisition, Orro will now be able to offer innovative connected solutions and managed security services for organisations that operate critical systems and infrastructure.

“RIOT brings a wealth of industrial knowledge tailored specifically to critical infrastructure and OT, which strongly complements our understanding of the challenges and demands of building world-class smart and connected networks,” Cunico said.

“The business will be able to create new network solutions very much with OT and security in mind right from the start. For customers, this will deliver visibility and control to support innovation into the future.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Tomasz Zajda