Swiss Post wants to position itself to better meet the needs of its customers, and plans to acquire Open Systems AG, headquartered in Zurich.
Open Systems safeguards companies’ IT networks. Swiss Post aims to draw upon the expertise of this cybersecurity specialist to offer even more secure communication solutions to organizations such as public authorities and private companies. The takeover still has to be approved by the relevant competition authority.
Swiss Post is planning to acquire Open Systems in the fourth quarter of 2024. Open Systems’ digital network and security solutions will enable Swiss Post to strengthen its role as a relevant provider of digital communication solutions. It will also safeguard the handling of data for private companies and public authorities, enhancing its competencies and expertise to help boost Switzerland as a digitally networked country. A relevant purchase agreement has been signed. “Secure communication can only take place if the sender, recipient and communication channels are protected and efficiently designed. That’s why it’s important to further expand our cybersecurity solutions”, explains Nicole Burth, Member of Executive Management and Head of Communication Services.
Swiss Post wants to enhance its digital security with Open Systems
In digital communication, Swiss Post focuses on three key areas: protected communication platforms for the secure exchange of information; secure, modern software solutions for private and public organizations that enable the digital connectivity of companies and authorities; and cybersecurity solutions for a secure digital environment. Open Systems contributes precisely in these areas. Thanks to a unique service concept and its own platform, the cybersecurity specialist safeguards the data transfer and networks of global companies and NGOs, and organizes them efficiently.
Open Systems would ideally complement the range of cybersecurity services offered by Swiss Post
Founded in 1990, Open Systems is a cybersecurity specialist, with its headquarters in Zurich and other offices, including in Bern, Düsseldorf and San Francisco. The company, which employs more than 260 staff, specializes in operating network and cybersecurity solutions. It is a leader in its field and has extensive experience in cybersecurity and cloud transformation, in particular. The stake in Open Systems complements the existing services of the subsidiary Swiss Post Cybersecurity Ltd[1], which protects data centers, cloud services and end devices from unwanted external access with its cybersecurity solutions. It, in turn, enables Swiss Post to offer public authorities, healthcare organizations and private companies an even more effective and comprehensive range of trustworthy solutions.
“We carefully considered who the future partner of Open Systems should be,” says Daniel Neuhaus, CEO of Open Systems. “We’ve been supporting companies in their international business and growth, particularly Swiss global market leaders, for over 30 years. In Swiss Post, we’ve found a sustainable partner based in Switzerland that shares our values of trust, reliability, security and customer focus.”
As the company’s activities include operations in Germany, the proposed takeover transaction is subject to the approval of the German Competition Authority. All the staff of Open Systems will continue to be employed in the event of a positive decision. Both parties have agreed that the purchase price will remain confidential.
1 ↑ Swiss Post Cybersecurity Ltd comprises the Swiss Post subsidiaries Hacknowledge and terreActive, and has operated on the market since 1 July 2024.
Source: Swiss Post