Sydney-Based GRC Leader Bolsters Global Platform with Agentic AI for Enterprise Risk Challenges
SYDNEY: Protecht Group, a global leader in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions, has acquired VISO TRUST, a U.S.-based AI-driven third-party risk management platform. The deal supercharges Protecht’s offerings amid explosive growth in the third-party risk management market, projected to hit $41.7 billion by 2034 at an 11.5% CAGR.
Protecht CEO Jason Phillips highlighted the strategic fit: “VISO TRUST’s agentic third-party risk capabilities naturally complement and enhance Protecht’s existing risk management platform to help customers confidently manage risk across their entire enterprise and vendor ecosystems.”
Third-Party Risk Explodes as Enterprises Struggle with Manual Tools
Enterprises are rapidly expanding vendor networks—83% plan growth over the next three years—but only 18% have fully integrated vendor risk management into their frameworks. This leaves many vulnerable to cyber threats originating from external partners, often managed through outdated, fragmented manual processes.
The acquisition integrates VISO TRUST’s cutting-edge AI agents into Protecht’s platform, tackling these pain points head-on. Key customer benefits include:
- AI-powered vendor risk assessments that speed up onboarding and due diligence.
- Automated GRC workflows via AI agents, slashing manual work and boosting team efficiency.
- Continuous monitoring of third-party and fourth-party risks in complex networks.
- Advanced analytics for Board-ready, data-driven risk reporting.
- Proactive threat detection without expanding headcount.
Paul Valente, VISO TRUST Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer, emphasized the timing: “Enterprise organisations are expanding their third-party vendor networks while facing more sophisticated cyber threats through those same relationships. Yet, most are still managing that risk manually. Joining Protecht means we can meet that demand at scale, combining our AI capabilities with a world-class GRC platform.”
Valente and Co-founder/Chief Technology Officer Russ Sherman will stay on in their roles to ensure seamless integration.
Protecht’s Aggressive Global Push Following $280M PSG Investment
This move builds on Protecht’s momentum after securing $280 million from PSG Equity last year. With offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, and London, Protecht serves government, financial services, education, and other sectors via its ERM platform, shifting clients from spreadsheets to integrated, scalable systems.
About Protecht: Visit www.protechtgroup.com for details on their innovative risk management solutions.
About VISO TRUST: Learn more at www.visotrust.com, where the platform delivers real-time vendor risk visibility and automation for security pros.