Thales to acquire Alcatel-Lucent cyber security business?

PARIS, May 22 (UPI) -- Thales is negotiating with Alcatel-Lucent over a possible takeover of Alcatel-Lucent's cyber-security services and communications security business.

Thales said the exclusive negotiation is part of "a strategic partnership to provide end-to-end solutions for securing networks."

"With this strategic partnership, Thales strengthens its position in cyber-security and consolidates its position as European leader in this strategic sector," said Jean-Bernard Levy, chairman and chief executive officer of Thales. "This investment responds to the growing ambition of Thales in promising sectors of security, in order to offer solutions that ensure the integrity and resilience of its customers' information systems.

"This agreement realizes a strategic partnership between two global companies, with similar backgrounds, and will allow for a shared and coherent approach to cope with cyber-security issues."

The partnership under consideration, which includes transfer of Alcatel-Lucent's network security assets, Thales, will enable Alcatel-Lucent to expand its commercial proposition in cyber-security. It will be able to offer clients end-to-end network security solutions, combining its integrated security expertise in telecommunication products with complementary services provided by Thales.

Thales said the proposed partnership will allow it to strengthen its business in cyber-security.

A definitive agreement has not been reached yet.

"Following the partnerships signed with Qualcomm and Intel, this strategic partnership with Thales illustrates Alcatel Lucent's strategy to reposition itself as a specialist in IP networks, cloud technologies and secured ultra-broadband access," said Michel Combes, chief executive officer of Alcatel-Lucent. "Cyber-security is of strategic concern to our customers, and to networks in general. By partnering with Thales for related services, we will be able to offer a comprehensive world-class expertise in network security."

Details on the negotiations have not been disclosed.