Convergence Networks Acquires Certinet Systems in Strategic Push for Pacific Northwest Cybersecurity Leadership

YAKIMA, WA – March 25, 2026 – In a significant move set to reshape the Pacific Northwest's technology services landscape, Convergence Networks, a prominent North American Managed Service Provider (MSP), has announced its acquisition of Certinet Systems. The deal brings the Yakima-based IT firm, known for its strong local ties and service excellence, under the umbrella of a larger, private equity-backed entity, signaling a major strategic investment in cybersecurity and compliance for the region’s most sensitive industries.

The acquisition is more than a simple business transaction; it represents a calculated response to the escalating cyber threats and complex regulatory pressures facing sectors like manufacturing, local government, and the critical Defense Industrial Base (DIB). By integrating Certinet's regional expertise, Convergence Networks is bolstering its ability to deliver the secure and resilient IT environments these organizations increasingly demand.

A Consolidation Wave Fueled by Specialization

This acquisition is the latest example of a powerful consolidation trend sweeping the MSP market, both regionally and nationally. The Pacific Northwest, with a competitive field of local and regional IT providers, is becoming a key battleground. This trend is often driven by private equity firms like Riverside Partners, the Boston-based firm backing Convergence Networks, which seek to build larger, more capable platforms by combining smaller, specialized companies.

Riverside Partners has a clear playbook for this kind of growth. In 2020, it supported the merger that formed the modern Convergence Networks, and more recently, in late 2025, it backed the company's acquisition of a Canadian IT firm to strengthen its Microsoft expertise. The Certinet deal follows this pattern, strategically expanding geographic reach into Central and Eastern Washington while simultaneously deepening technical capabilities.

"At Convergence Networks, we believe technology should support people and businesses in a practical, measurable way," said Chris Remy, CEO of Convergence Networks, in a statement. "Certinet Systems has built a strong business by focusing on service quality, integrity, and local leadership. That alignment made this a natural fit. Together, we are expanding our ability to support organizations with increasing security and compliance requirements, while continuing to invest in our people."

The High-Stakes Game of Cybersecurity Compliance

The true strategic value of this acquisition lies in the combined entity's enhanced ability to navigate the labyrinth of modern cybersecurity regulations. For businesses in the Defense Industrial Base, the clock is ticking. The Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is now in full swing, with enforcement rolling out in phases. As of November 2026, many contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will require a third-party assessment to bid on new projects. This non-negotiable requirement has created a massive demand for MSPs who can not only implement the 110 security controls of NIST SP 800-171 but also guide clients through the complex certification process.

Certinet’s experience serving public sector organizations and businesses connected to government and defense supply chains provides a fertile ground for Convergence’s established CMMC practice. This synergy creates a powerful offering for a market under immense pressure to secure its operations or risk being locked out of lucrative government contracts.

Beyond defense, manufacturers are grappling with their own digital transformation risks, turning to frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to protect their increasingly automated and connected factories. Similarly, local governments, which hold vast amounts of sensitive citizen data, face strict state-level mandates and data breach laws, making robust cybersecurity not just a best practice, but a legal necessity. The acquisition positions Convergence Networks as a go-to expert for these high-stakes environments.

Blending National Scale with a Local Touch

One of the greatest challenges in any acquisition is the integration of culture and the retention of client trust. The fear for clients of a smaller, local firm is often that they will lose the personal touch and responsiveness they value, becoming just another number in a large corporation. Convergence Networks and Certinet appear to be proactively addressing this challenge.

In a move aligned with M&A best practices, Certinet’s founder, the veteran Bryant Kyger, will not be departing. Instead, he will assume a regional leadership role within Convergence Networks, a clear signal to clients and employees that local accountability remains a priority. This strategy aims to provide the “best of both worlds”: the familiar local leadership and service model, now supercharged with the resources of a larger North American provider.

"Certinet was built to provide a higher standard of service for businesses in our region," said Bryant Kyger. "Joining Convergence Networks allows us to maintain that local focus while giving our clients access to deeper cybersecurity and compliance expertise, broader resources and long-term stability. It also creates new opportunities for our team as part of a larger organization that is investing in a future of secure and compliant IT."

For existing Certinet clients, the immediate benefits will be tangible. They are promised access to an expanded portfolio of cybersecurity and compliance services, extended after-hours support backed by a larger team, and more robust vendor partnerships. Furthermore, they will be onboarded to Convergence Networks' Client Portal, a platform designed to provide a more transparent and centralized hub for managing IT services and gaining visibility into their technology environment. This combination of continued local presence and expanded capabilities is the core promise of the new, combined entity as it moves to solidify its position in the Pacific Northwest.