
France’s Thales on Sunday said it has agreed to acquire Gemalto, a provider of a range of digital security solutions and capabilities, in a $5.7 billion deal to accelerate its strategy around digital technologies and data security.Thales beat out France-based Atos, a European information technology services provider, which previously made an unsolicited $5.1 billion cash offer for Netherlands-based Gemalto. Atos said it will not pursue its original offer for Gemalto, citing its commitment to financial discipline.Gemalto’s strengths are in authentication…