Efex snaps up managed cyber security firm Datcom

Managed IT services provider efex has acquired Datcom, a mid-market managed cyber security service provider.

Datcom was established in 1997 by Jay Sayed and offers strategic cyber security guidance, tailored infrastructure and operational management. Its clients includes Indeed, TerryWhite Chemmart, Finder.com and more.

Efex sees the acquisition expanding its capabilities to support "high performing, mid-market
businesses in capital cities and rural and regional locations.

It will use Datcom to deliver a "more extensive managed services offering to Australian and New Zealand clients with specialisation in professional services, education, healthcare, mining & local government."

Datcom will operate under the efex brand and will retain its existing team of specialists, led by Rube Sayed.

This is efex’s fifth acquisition in the last 18 months, joining medical IT solutions provider Medihost Solutions, Canberra-based MSP Wyscom, Geelong-based private cloud and infrastructure services firm WorldMark Corporate Consulting and Adelaide-based IT support and security firm Aish IT.

efex was founded in 2013 by CEO Nick Sheehan. It has since expanded from a single office technology solutions reseller to 22 locations across the country with a highly recurring revenue customer base of 7,500 clients.

Sheehan told techpartner.news that the acquisition is a "great fit" for the company and improves the efex core offering, with Datcom having had solid year on year revenue growth.

"Being based in Sydney also gives us a chance to build on the strong presence we already have and bring the teams together culturally," he told us.

"We’re particularly impressed by how proactive the team is in delivering for customers, and there’s a clear opportunity to bring in more structured offerings and align our systems. It also adds depth to our project pipeline and gives staff the chance to specialise and grow within a national business.

"There’s also no heavy reliance on any single customer, which sets us up well for stable, long-term growth."

Sheehan said strengthening efex’s cybersecurity offering has been a priority for efex in the wake of increased cyber breaches and breach attempts. 

“efex clients choose us to ensure their systems and platforms are market-leading and can stand up to increasingly sophisticated and relentless cyber breach attacks. Acquiring Datcom, a recognised leading provider, ensures we satisfy that priority for all our clients," he said.

"Our integration will deliver more sophisticated cybersecurity support for our clients across the Trans-Tasman, leveraging advanced automation and in-depth threat analysis to help our clients identify vulnerabilities and build more resilient systems."

At the time of the Wyscom buy, Sheehan said the company had an ongoing strategy of reaching 50 locations over the next two years.