CynergisTek, Inc. has announced its acquisition of Backbone Enterprises, Inc. (DBA Backbone Consultants), a leading provider of IT risk advisory services.

CynergisTek is a cybersecurity company specializing in the healthcare industry. Since 2004, the company has helped hundreds of healthcare organizations meet security, privacy and regulatory compliance goals. Backbone Enterprises, on the other hand, has been a leader in IT risk advisory services.

The acquisition will help round out CynergisTek’s portfolio. With Backbone’s services, CynergisTek will be able to offer its customers IT risk audit services, in addition to helping them comply with the EU’s GDPR.

“Backbone Consultants’ suite of services will immediately complement our entire portfolio as well as provide additional IT risk audit services and GDPR readiness, and prepare us for the opportunity with the California Consumer Privacy Act,” said CynergisTek CEO and President Caleb Barlow.. “We will look to leverage CynergisTek’s existing client base to cross-sell our services, leverage our back office to bring more efficiency and support to the Backbone team, and look to convert Backbone’s annual audits into a managed service. We’re thrilled that Backbone is part of CynergisTek and are excited to support its continued growth, customers, and employees.”

Walter Zuniga, Managing Partner at Backbone Consultants, echoed Mr. Barlow’s optimism. “Our highly skilled security, IT audit, and data privacy professionals will be a perfect fit within CynergisTek where our customers and employees will see an immediate benefit from CynergisTek’s national presence. We look forward to continuing our success in the cybersecurity, IT audit, and privacy compliance market as we utilize the strengths of CynergisTek.”

The merger of these two companies drives home the increasing challenges organizations face when it comes to protecting user data and privacy, not to mention the increasing regulatory requirements facing many industries.