Senetas acquires UK-based reseller

ASX-listed network encryption vendor Senetas has established a European presence after acquiring UK-based reseller partner, Focus Europe Limited.

Senetas acquired the south east-London based, Focus Europe for £300, 000 (A$516,229) and will also make a payment for the net assets of the business.

Senetas spokesperson Greg Dearden said Senetas has converted Focus "from a partner to men on the ground in Europe.

"It is hoped that this will lead to additional deals of a similar style in the northern hemisphere, more specifically in north America," said Dearden. 

Senetas has hired Focus' three employees and appointed Gareth Jones as general manager of the newly-named Senetas Europe.

Pete Smith was appointed manager of encryption solutions, and Graham Wallace hired as government accounts manager and product specialist.

"They are very highly regarded in their space," said Dearden. "It's important because they're actually on the ground and they have been selling our products," he said.

Senetas CEO John DuBois said Senetas Europe will "benefit from the extensive technical experience and industry knowledge of three key employees who will lead the European sales effort.

"This is a significant move for Senetas to have a direct representation in the largest single market apart from the US for our layer 2 encryption," said DuBois.

DuBois said having the permanent presence in the UK also enables the company "to seek further security accreditations" for its encryption hardware.

"Such approvals will be vital additions to our FIPS and Common Criteria certifications and key to our success in UK and EU government and defence sales," he said.

The acquisition comes a month after the company announced that Telstra would not renew a consulting services contract it held for a good part of ten years.

At the time Senetas said it "understood" that Telstra would be outsourcing the service to an Indian-based consultancy.

Senetas is represented either directly or through reseller channels in more than 40 countries.