Cybersecurity training platform, change to buy infosec

Boston-based global education technology company has signed a 191M deal to buy a cybersecurity training platform, Infosec.

Changez Group Announcement The planned addition to its ed2Go business on Monday. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

Cengage CEO Michael Hansen said, “The online, employer-provided cybersecurity training segment currently has a market of $ 1 billion, which is expected to reach $ 10 billion annually by 2027.”

He added: “Integrating Infosec with our already-successful workforce skills business will provide top-line growth, expand our recurring revenue base and accelerate our opportunities in space.”

Infosec was founded in 2004 by its current chief executive, Jack Coziol, who will lead the transformation. The company is based in Wisconsin and provides skills development and certification programs for the cybersecurity industry.

Jack Koziol, CEO and founder of Infosec, said: “The Cengage Group has the same passion for making education accessible, affordable and applicable to today’s cybersecurity professionals.

He added: “Based on the history of ed2go in online training, Infosec will benefit from the scale and expertise of the Cengage Group, which means we can reach out to more cybersecurity professionals and employers who not only enhance their careers but also their businesses, governments and people. Wanting to keep safe. From cyber threats. “

Infosec employs around 100 people and offers over 1,400 online cybersecurity courses. Almost all of Infosec’s current employees are expected to join Cengage’s 4,500-strong workforce.

According to Cyber ​​Search, There are only 600,000 zero cyber security roles in the United States. Research by Burning glass technologies Suggests that at least one certificate is required for about half of these positions

“We can’t hire people fast,” Hansen said. Boston Globe. “Right now, the demand for workforce skills courses is just exploding, and it’s exploding in a very specific job segment,” he said.

Hansen continued: “There is a shortage of such workers. Every CEO tells me that … the labor shortage is really a shortage of skills. “

News of Cengage’s planned purchase comes as rival British publishing house Pearson announces Acquisition Credly, a digital workforce certification service provider, about $ 200m.