After previously rejecting an offer from Atos to buy the company, digital security tech firm Gemalto has agreed to an offer from Thales in a deal worth $5.6 billion.

Thales said in a press release that the Gemalto acquisition continues its path of significantly increasing its focus on digital technologies, investing over $1 billion in connectivity, cybersecurity, data analytics and artificial intelligence — in particular with the acquisition of Sysgo, Vormetric and Guavus.

Thales' integration with Gemalto strongly accelerates this strategy, reinforcing its digital offering across five vertical markets (aeronautics, space, ground transportation, defense and security), according to the release.

"The acquisition of Gemalto marks a key milestone in the implementation of Thales's strategy," Patrice Caine, Thales chairman and CEO, said in the release. "Together with Gemalto's management, we have big ambitions based on a shared vision of the digital transformation of our industries and customers."