3. Accenture

Company acquired: Arismore

Head count: 270 employees

Annual revenue: Not disclosed

Purchase price: Not disclosed

Date of announcement: Dec. 19

Accenture's push to build a $1 billion security practice continues unabated with the company unveiling plans to purchase a French company specializing in identity and access management.

The Dublin, Ireland-based company, No. 2 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500, said Arismore will bolster Accenture's skills around security services, enterprise architecture and change management services. The deal is Accenture's eighth security-focused acquisition in the past 16 months, and follows three high-profile hires for the company's new, dedicated security practice.

Saint-Cloud, France-based Arismore, founded in 2002, provides security and enterprise architecture services for enterprise firms in the telecommunications, media, distribution, energy, transportation, banking and insurance verticals.