LevelBlue Acquires Stroz Friedberg and Elysium Digital, Cementing Its Status as Cybersecurity’s Pure-Play Powerhouse

In a landmark move reshaping the contours of cybersecurity and digital risk consulting, LevelBlue has officially completed its acquisition of Aon’s Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property (IP) Litigation consulting divisions—most notably, the elite digital forensics and incident response firm Stroz Friedberg and litigation tech consultancy Elysium Digital.

The deal marks a bold expansion for LevelBlue, a cloud-native, AI-fueled managed security services provider (MSSP), as it integrates a consulting braintrust with rarefied pedigree into its already extensive portfolio. With the acquisition finalized, the group will operate as Stroz Friedberg, a LevelBlue company, signaling continuity of brand alongside expanded capabilities.

A Fusion of Tech and Tactics

This acquisition isn’t just about absorbing headcount or broadening the customer base. It’s about unifying two distinctly powerful models—high-stakes cyber advisory and real-time managed detection and response (MDR)—into a single platform. LevelBlue now controls a consulting juggernaut of nearly 300 technologists trusted by a staggering share of the legal elite: 80% of Am Law 100 firms and most of the UK’s top 20.

In practice, this means LevelBlue can now loop threat intelligence learned during incident response engagements directly into its MDR systems. New threat indicators are fed in real time into its machine-learning-driven analytics engine, enabling faster detection, sharper response, and reduced dwell time. It’s the kind of feedback loop security architects dream about.

“The close of this acquisition enables LevelBlue to deliver an unmatched breadth of cybersecurity services and expertise to customers on a global scale,” said Robert McCullen, Chairman and CEO of LevelBlue. “Capitalizing on the Stroz Friedberg consulting expertise along with our AI-driven managed security services, we are empowering organizations to proactively manage digital risk and respond to incidents with greater speed and precision.”

Legal Sector in Focus

Perhaps the most compelling angle of the deal is LevelBlue’s aggressive expansion into the legal vertical. As litigation involving data breaches, IP theft, and cybercrime becomes increasingly complex, law firms and their clients are demanding end-to-end security partners who can not only defend infrastructure but also serve as expert witnesses, forensic analysts, and trusted advisors during high-profile disputes.

Stroz Friedberg, known for its deep bench of former federal prosecutors, ex-intelligence operatives, and technologists, brings precisely this high-touch, high-stakes expertise to the table—something LevelBlue plans to scale globally.

Aon Doubles Down on Cyber Risk Transfer

For Aon, the move reflects a strategic sharpening of focus. Rather than building out consulting arms, the firm is doubling down on its risk transfer and cyber brokerage capabilities—providing tools like its CyQu platform and Cyber Risk Analyzer to help clients measure, model, and mitigate cyber exposure through insurance and actuarial science.

“Cybersecurity challenges are becoming increasingly complex and urgent for our clients, demanding more integrated and adaptive solutions,” said Christian Hoffman, Global Specialty & Financial Products Leader at Aon. “Aon will continue to deliver leading cyber brokerage capabilities… while deepening our collaboration with providers like LevelBlue.”

An M&A Blitz to Build a Cyber Giant

This isn’t LevelBlue’s only power play. Just weeks before, the company signed a deal to acquire Trustwave, another major player in the cybersecurity and MDR space. With both acquisitions, LevelBlue is positioning itself as the largest independent pure-play MSSP in the market—a title that puts it in a rarefied tier alongside hyperscalers and big-box consultancies, but with the nimbleness and focus of a specialist.

As cyberattacks continue to escalate in scale, frequency, and sophistication, the industry’s fault lines are shifting. And LevelBlue isn’t just watching the ground move—it’s planting a flag.