Optiv Doubles Federal Presence with ClearShark Acquisition

Convergence of two leading cybersecurity companies creates federal sector powerhouse

  • Mar 14, 2023

Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, today announced it has acquired Maryland-based ClearShark LLC and ClearShark Services Inc. (collectively ClearShark), a premier advisor and top value-added reseller of cybersecurity and modernization technology to the federal government. The transaction more-than doubles Optiv’s federal presence, while significantly deepening its bench of government expertise and expanding the breadth of its federal capabilities.
 
“ClearShark is now the cornerstone of a vibrant Optiv federal business where we will together bring a new level of world-class federal capabilities to the market at scale,” said Kevin Lynch, CEO at Optiv. “Between the uptick in cyberattacks, the recent Biden-Harris Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and other security regulations, cybersecurity has never been more vital. Together with ClearShark, we are primed to better help federal agencies and contractors ensure a strong cybersecurity posture and build a legacy in the public sector space.”

“Joining forces with the largest pure-play cybersecurity company in the world provides us, our clients and partners with a tremendous growth opportunity. We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership or more bullish on the future,” said Brian Strosser, ClearShark LLC president. 
 
ClearShark Services President Marshall Bailey added, “Leveraging Optiv’s comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions and services, we can continue to expand our already dominate delivery capabilities and operate at scale while also providing employees with new career opportunities.”

The acquisition brings together two leading cybersecurity companies to create a powerhouse partnership that will better serve current and new clients by providing:

  • An expanded federal presence with more direct connections to the public sector.
  • An even broader federal team that builds on the exceptional Optiv service and expertise clients and partners have come to depend on.
  • A vast and comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity services and solutions, technical capabilities and federal resources.
  • Exceptional relationships with the industry’s leading security technology companies and product manufacturers.

 The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Holland & Hart LLP provided counsel to Optiv during the transaction. IzenbergLaw PLLC, Fontana Law Group and PilieroMazza PLLC provided counsel to ClearShark.

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