New Zealand's Bastion Security Group has announced its acquisition of Melbourne-based cybersecurity provider Astralas, marking a significant step in its trans-Tasman expansion. This deal, for an undisclosed sum, is Bastion's fourth strategic acquisition in Australia, reinforcing its ambition to become a leading end-to-end cybersecurity services provider in the region. The merger combines Astralas's specialized engineering expertise with Bastion's broad managed security capabilities, creating a more comprehensive offering for clients across both nations.
A Strategic Expansion in the Australian Market
This acquisition continues Bastion's aggressive growth strategy within Australia, following its successful integration of Cythera in 2024, Seamless Intelligence in 2025, and Phronesis Security earlier in 2026. Each move has been calculated to build a comprehensive service portfolio and a substantial local presence. The consistent pace of these acquisitions underscores Bastion's commitment to establishing a dominant position in the regional cybersecurity landscape.
The addition of Astralas's 60 employees will expand Bastion's total workforce to over 250 cybersecurity professionals, with more than half now located in Australia. This expanded team will operate from six offices across Australia and New Zealand, significantly strengthening the group's capacity for national and regional client support. The increased scale positions Bastion to handle complex, large-scale security challenges for enterprise clients more effectively.
Combining Complementary Expertise
Astralas brings a wealth of deep technical expertise to the newly formed group, with a strong reputation established since its founding in 2021. The firm specializes in security architecture, automation, identity and access management, and cloud engineering. Its services are particularly valued by major organizations in the financial services, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure sectors, adding significant industry depth to Bastion's portfolio.
In contrast, Bastion offers a broad portfolio of managed services that will now be accessible to Astralas's clientele. These services include a 24/7 security operations centre, governance, risk, and compliance consulting, penetration testing, and threat intelligence. This comprehensive offering ensures clients receive support across the entire cybersecurity lifecycle, from initial strategy and architecture to ongoing monitoring and incident response.
In a joint statement, Astralas directors Matt Lowth and Ben Smith highlighted the strategic fit between the two companies. They noted that pairing their firm's market-leading expertise in security strategy and engineering with Bastion’s proven "build and run" capabilities creates a unique market position. This synergy will enable the delivery of high-quality, end-to-end security outcomes at scale for a diverse client base.
Leadership Vision and Future Integration
Bastion CEO Eugene Gibney praised Astralas as a "highly strategic addition," citing its reputation for technical excellence, pragmatic delivery, and client focus. He expressed excitement about working with a team that shares Bastion's values and commitment to elevating cybersecurity outcomes. Gibney emphasized that Astralas's capabilities will be pivotal for the group's continued growth and ability to offer richer, more integrated solutions.
The integration process is designed to be seamless, with the Astralas leadership team remaining in their roles and invested in the broader group's success. The 60-person team will gradually merge with Bastion's Australian operations, ensuring a smooth transition for both employees and clients. This approach aims to leverage the best of both organizations to enhance professional services and strengthen market presence across the region.
The merger of Bastion Security Group and Astralas creates a formidable force in the Australia and New Zealand cybersecurity market. By combining specialized professional services with comprehensive managed security operations, the unified entity is poised to offer an unmatched depth of service. This strategic consolidation ultimately benefits clients by providing a single, powerful partner capable of addressing the full spectrum of modern cyber threats with greater agility and expertise.