IT consultancy Canary adds Layer 8 following Wyntec acquisition

Another of Australia’s recent IT consulting and services roll-ups – Canary Technology Solutions – is making moves in the market, acquiring its second business this month: Layer 8 Security.

Based out of Brisbane, Layer 8 specialises in cybersecurity awareness for the financial services sector. The company was acquired by managed services provider Wyntec in 2022, which was bought by Canary earlier this month.

Canary itself was formed in 2022 following the rebranding of Sydney-based IT Consult under the single umbrella with fresh acquisitions Diversus Group and BCPrise, creating a new business with combined revenues of $25 million.

“We have a measured growth strategy that sees us continue the organic growth of the key pillars of Canary, while also actively exploring additional expansion opportunities via the merger or acquisition of other Australian channel businesses,” IT Consult co-founder and Canary CEO Steve Parsonage said at the time. “It’s ‘game on’ for Canary, and we’re only just getting started.”

Wyntec

Canary, which has a current service portfolio covering cloud & data, cybersecurity, managed IT services, and retail solutions including ERP, is now delivering on that promise, with the addition of Wyntec earlier this month and now its subsidiary Layer 8. The former was founded by Tom Freer in 2010, while the latter has been operating for almost as long, joining Wyntec in 2022.

“This acquisition is a strategic move to increase our presence in Queensland and further enhance our managed IT services capabilities,” Parsonage said of the Wyntec deal at the start of the month. “By bringing together our expertise and resources, we’re taking a significant step towards our vision of delivering smarter, more responsive IT solutions for businesses across Australia.”

Layer 8

As to its latest addition, ARN reports that the deal will see Canary’s overall headcount climb to above 65, but that Layer 8 will continue to operate under its own brand. The publication also suggested one major attraction for acquiring the human risk management and cyber education firm was its immersive Cyber Escape Room training offering, which is hosted both virtually and on site.

“Together, we can offer clients not just a service but a unique cybersecurity experience that transforms learning into tangible action. This partnership reinforces our mission to create empowered, cyber-aware workplaces,” said Freer, who has now swapped his Wyntec and Layer 8 chief executive role to become Canary’s general manager for managed services.

Canary

Drawing parallels to the early detection of threats to data and systems, Canary’s name was inspired by the former coal-mining practice of taking the bird down into the shafts as an indicator of poisonous gases.

The firm now has outlets in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and serves clients in the retail & consumer, financial services, and government sectors among others.