Security News > 2024 > January > Atos confirms talks with Airbus over cybersecurity wing sale

French IT services provider Atos has entered talks with Airbus to sell its tech security division in an effort to ease its financial burdens.

In a market update this morning, Atos Group said it received two letters indicating non-binding interest in its Big Data & Security division, but said only Airbus offered to buy the entire business unit.

"In line with its ambition to grow as a European aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity leader, Airbus has been exploring potential strategic opportunities with Atos," an Airbus spokesperson said.

Today's news comes a year after Airbus entered the due diligence phase of buying 30 percent of Eviden, Atos Group's separate company comprising the digital, and BDS businesses.

Atos Group announced plans for an "Ambitious turnaround" in 2022 that would involve the separation of Eviden and Atos Tech Foundations, which is comprised of datacenter and hosting, digital workplace, and business process outsourcing divisions, into two separately listed companies.

In October 2023, Les Republicans' Olivier Marleix and the Socialist Party's Philippe Brun suggested the government nationalize Atos on security grounds, since the BDS perimeter - part of Eviden - manages highly sensitive projects.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/01/03/atos_confirms_airbus_talks/