Tusker Acquires Fortress SRM to Expand Cybersecurity Services

‍CHICAGO (Sept. 2, 2026) – Tusker, a full-service technology solutions provider with clients across the country, today announced the acquisition of Fortress SRM, a Cleveland-based firm specializing in cybersecurity services. The acquisition adds nearly 50 cybersecurity professionals to the Tusker team, provides new security capabilities including 24/7 oversight, and expands Tusker’s geographic footprint with a sixth regional hub.

Founded in 2018, Fortress SRM serves customers across Ohio, northern Michigan and Wisconsin with a team of approximately 50 cybersecurity professionals. Its capabilities span security consulting and advisory services, virtual CISO leadership, managed security, incident response and digital forensics, and a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) that delivers around-the-clock threat detection, analysis and remediation support.

The acquisition is the latest step in a strategic expansion campaign that has grown Tusker from its roots as a Chicago-based IT hardware distributor to a full-stack technology provider with more than 400 employees and regional hubs in Chicago, Boston, Green Bay, Duluth, Eau Claire and now Cleveland.  

It marks Tusker’s fifth acquisition since 2017 and its first since unifying its portfolio companies under the Tusker brand earlier this year. Additional acquisitions are planned as the company continues building its geographic reach.  

Expanding the Tusker Platform

The acquisition brings together two organizations with complementary strengths: Fortress SRM’s deep cybersecurity expertise, Tusker’s broader technology capabilities and geographic reach, and the high-touch service and trusted relationships that have been central to both organizations. It also advances a Tusker initiative to aggressively expand its services business.  

“Fortress SRM brings exactly the kind of expertise and customer-centered culture that has defined every company we have acquired over the last nine years,” said Matt Zafirovski, CEO of Tusker. “This acquisition expands our cybersecurity team and related service capabilities, plants a flag for Tusker in the Ohio Valley, and strengthens our ability to be a trusted technology partner across the customer’s entire IT environment.”

The transaction also provides significant benefits to Fortress SRM’s cybersecurity customers.

“Many of our cybersecurity clients want a trusted partner who can support all of their IT needs, from desktops, servers and networks to technology planning, modernization and managed services,” said Jess Walpole, President of Fortress SRM. “Joining forces with Tusker gives them that convenience, along with a larger team and the same personal service they have come to expect from us.”

About Tusker

Tusker is a mid-market IT solutions provider that blends a broad portfolio of advisory, professional, managed and lifecycle technology solutions with a focus on building long-term client partnerships through a combination of IT expertise and highly personalized service. The firm operates from multiple regional hubs, serving clients ranging from local organizations to national brands. For more information, visit www.tuskerco.com.

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