EY Acquires Identity and Access Management (IAM) Security Services Company

EY has acquired Open Windows Identity, a cybersecurity services consulting division of Australia-based contract management software company Open Windows, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquired firm will become EY's new APAC region Identity Management Centre of Excellence led by current Open Windows Identity CEO Simon Adler, Open Windows Identity said in a prepared statement.

Open Windows Identity will provide end-to-end identity and access management (IAM) services to complement EY’s existing identity governance capability, Open Windows Identity indicated.

That way, EY can bolster its cybersecurity advisory capability, Open Windows Identity said, and position itself to offer an integrated suite of cybersecurity advisory services across the APAC region.

As part of the Open Windows Identity acquisition, EY will add more than 45 IAM professionals to its team. Furthermore, Open Windows Identity will enable EY to provide identity-as-a-service (IDaaS), Richard Watson, EY's lead partner for cyber APAC, told iT Wire.

"With an end-to-end cyberadvisory and implementation capability, EY is now better placed than ever to help clients protect critical systems," Watson stated.

What Is Open Windows Identity?

Launched in 2012, Open Windows Identity is one of the largest implementation partners of IAM solutions in Australia.

Also, Open Windows Identity boasts the largest pool of identity consultants in Australia and works in close partnership with major IAM technology vendors, according to the company.

Open Windows Identity has "built a significant client base of top-tier organizations and a strong team of identity specialists," the company pointed out.

As such, EY now provides Open Windows Identity with "the support and resources required to continue to grow," Open Windows Identity said in a company statement.

Global IAM Market Is Growing

EY recorded global revenues of $29.6 billion in financial year 2016, up 9 percent year over year.

Meanwhile, Open Windows Identity may help EY capitalize on a global IAM market that is projected to grow over the next several years.

MarketsandMarkets has predicted the global IAM sector will expand at a 12.9 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2016 and 2021. The total market should be worth around $14.82 billion by 2021, the researcher said.