LevelBlue buys Fortra Alert Logic MDR services arm

LevelBlue has struck a strategic managed services partnership with Fortra and agreed to acquire the managed services operations of Fortra's Alert Logic business, covering managed detection and response, extended detection and response, and web application firewall services.

The deal links a managed security services provider with a cybersecurity software supplier. LevelBlue said the arrangement includes both an acquisition and a longer-term partner relationship between the two companies.

Under the transaction, LevelBlue will take on the managed services element of Alert Logic's MDR, XDR and WAF offerings. LevelBlue also said Fortra will act as a technology partner and make software and platforms available to LevelBlue's global customer base.

What Changes

LevelBlue positioned the acquisition as an expansion of its MDR platform. The company said Alert Logic customers will gain access to LevelBlue's global footprint and broader threat telemetry. It also said the combined offering will speed up detection and response across "complex environments".

Fortra described the move as part of its development as a channel-first business. It said it focuses on resellers, service providers and distributors. LevelBlue said the partnership follows the launch of Fortra Protect, Fortra's partner programme.

The companies did not disclose financial terms. They did not disclose how many employees would move under the transaction or whether staff would remain in place.

Product Scope

LevelBlue said Fortra's technology portfolio spans offensive and defensive security. It said the products complement its own services in data security, brand protection, email security and offensive security.

The firms said customers will have more choice across products and managed service delivery. They also said the combined portfolio will cover more of the attack surface.

The acquisition focuses on managed services attached to Alert Logic's MDR, XDR and WAF offerings. LevelBlue did not detail whether it would rebrand those services or how it would integrate them into its existing operations.

Market Positioning

Managed detection and response remains a crowded segment, with large IT services groups, specialist security providers and systems integrators all competing for enterprise and mid-market security operations work. Buyers often look for a mix of tooling, human analysts, incident response and threat intelligence, as well as clear integration into existing security platforms.

LevelBlue described itself as a pure-play managed security services provider. It said it has expanded through recent acquisitions. Fortra described itself as a global cybersecurity solutions provider with a focus on channel distribution and partner routes to market.

Bob McCullen, Chairman and CEO, LevelBlue, said: "Through the addition of Fortra's Alert Logic MDR services and its role as a leading technology partner, LevelBlue further cements its position as the most complete cybersecurity services partner for businesses."

McCullen added: "LevelBlue is redefining what it means to be a managed security provider, combining world-class human expertise with AI-powered, platform-led services, to give clients faster detection, smarter response, and long-lasting resilience against threats. We couldn't be more excited about the broader partnership with Fortra, whose leading offensive and defensive security solutions will be instrumental in our mission to deliver true defence in depth for enterprises, governments, and partners globally."

Fortra said the partnership gives it a route to place more of its products with LevelBlue customers, while transferring the managed services operations associated with Alert Logic's MDR business.

Matt Reck, CEO, Fortra, said: "We are thrilled to partner closely with LevelBlue. They are rapidly emerging as one of the leading managed security services providers in the market, and I am confident that our Alert Logic customers are in good hands."

Reck added, "We are also very excited to be partnering more broadly with LevelBlue. In the incredibly fast-paced cybersecurity market, this combined offering puts the full power of Fortra's world-class products and LevelBlue's expertise and exceptional global SOC into our shared customers' hands, providing them with unmatched cybersecurity risk mitigation, scale, and simplicity."

Santander acted as the exclusive financial adviser to LevelBlue on the transaction, while Stephens acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Fortra and Alert Logic.

The companies said they will progress the partnership alongside the transfer of the Alert Logic managed services operations, with Fortra taking on a larger role as a technology supplier within LevelBlue's partner ecosystem.