Thales has completed the acquistion of secure identity tech firm Gemalto.Completed in 15 months, the acquisition of Gemalto by Thales for €4.8 billion creates a digital identity and security firm employing 80,000 people.In a statement, the firms said the larger Thales will master all the technologies underpinning the critical decision chain for companies, organisations and governments. Incorporating the talent and technologies of Gemalto."Thales will develop secure solutions to address the major challenges faced by our societies, such as unmanned air traffic management, data and network cybersecurity, airport security or financial transaction security"."This combination creates a world-class leader with an unrivalled portfolio of digital identity and security solutions based on technologies such as biometry, data protection, and, more broadly, cybersecurity. Thales will thus provide a seamless response to customers, including critical infrastructure providers such as banks, telecom operators, government agencies, utilities and other industries as they step up to the challenges of identifying people and objects and keeping data secure."Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO, Thales, said: "With Gemalto, a global leader in digital identification and data protection, Thales has acquired a set of highly complementary technologies and competencies with applications in all of our five vertical markets. Together, we are creating a giant in digital identity and security with the capabilities to compete in the big leagues worldwide."
Thales completes purchase of Gemalto
