Optiv, the world’s largest pure-play cybersecurity company, announced the sale of its Advisory, Consulting and Transformation (ACT) project-based services business to Vobis Ventures, a global technology investment firm focused on next-generation technologies with AI-native cybersecurity as a core investment theme. The transaction officially closed on June 1, 2026.
The ACT business, backed by Vobis Ventures, will initially operate under the name Optiv Consulting. The business will serve as the foundation of Vobis Ventures’ cybersecurity services platform, with plans to expand its capabilities and scale its operations to support enterprises navigating the emerging agentic AI landscape.
As part of the agreement, Optiv and Optiv Consulting will enter into an exclusive services partnership for the next year. Optiv will continue to provide cybersecurity advisory, deployment, and operational services to its more than 6,000 clients, while ACT-related services will be delivered through Optiv Consulting. Optiv’s managed services and staff augmentation offerings will remain part of its core business.
The transaction allows Optiv to sharpen its strategic focus while continuing to provide clients access to consulting expertise through its exclusive partnership with the newly independent business. The company said the arrangement supports its long-term growth priorities and continued investment in cybersecurity capabilities.
Industry veteran Anup Kumar, Operations Executive Partner at Vobis Ventures, has been appointed CEO of Optiv Consulting. Under his leadership, the company plans to focus on helping organizations securely deploy agentic AI systems with governance and security frameworks embedded into enterprise operations.
According to the companies, the acquisition brings together more than 800 enterprise clients and a global team of nearly 500 consultants and security engineers. Vobis Ventures also plans to support the business through its AI Security and Governance Center of Excellence, while continuing to invest in talent, innovation, and cybersecurity services designed for AI-driven environments.
Barclays served as the exclusive financial advisor to Optiv on the transaction.
KEY QUOTES:
“We went to great lengths to find the ideal partner, a true unicorn, with a commitment to client excellence and innovation. Partnering with Vobis Ventures enables us to continue serving clients with the same world-class resource base, while reinvesting back in the business to further accelerate strategic priorities and fuel growth.”
Kevin Lynch, CEO, Optiv
“Security must evolve from protecting systems to governing autonomous AI agents and that shift is already underway. Our acquisition of Optiv Consulting provides an immediate foundation for that transformation, bringing together more than 800 enterprise clients and a global team of nearly 500 consultants and forward-deployed security engineers. Combined with our AI Security and Governance Center of Excellence and continued investment in people and innovation, we are building a long-term, category-defining cybersecurity brand that enterprises trust to deploy autonomous AI securely at scale and stay ahead of every threat.”
Anup Kumar, Operations Executive Partner, Vobis Ventures and CEO, Optiv Consulting
