As mergers and purchases (M&As) increase all over the world cybersecurity is more important than ever. If confidential information is disclosed during M&A due diligence or in post-M&A processes, the risks are high.
The good news is that the right software can aid M&A CISOs to ensure the integrity of data, maintain the compliance of their organization, and help protect against the risks associated with M&A activities. The ideal data room software integrates digital tools into one integrated platform that allows for easy uploads of files, single sign-on, and a complete auditing. This assists compliance teams in maintaining control by preventing online data room accidental disclosure.
Virtual data rooms are a great tool to manage the M&A processes, from due diligence to post-M&A activities and integration. VDRs enable authorized users to read, share and comment on sensitive documents without risk of leaks. They also have the capability to create activity reports that reveal who has read and accessed specific document pages. These reports will deter criminals from leaking information, since they can be traced to the individual users. These reports also let M&A CISOs assess the level interest from potential buyers or investors.
Many M&A transactions are built around intellectual property. Life science companies, for example use virtual data rooms to handle everything from clinical trial outcomes and HIPAA compliance to licensing IP and storage of patient records. In the course of M&A due diligence, it is normal for companies to have to supply and review a large amount of documents. This can be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process for both the company being purchased and the buyer. A VDR can be utilized to efficiently share all of this data on an secure platform.
M&A is a complicated business process that poses significant security risks, regardless of the industry. The M&A team must be aware of the potential risk from cybercriminals, competitors and disgruntled employees during the operational and integration phases of the M&A lifecycle. These risks could include malware, unauthorised access to systems and networks, sabotage, and other kinds of disruptions that could affect the M&A value proposition.
With the right cybersecurity solutions in place M&A can be a lucrative and rewarding business experience. M&A provides businesses with an excellent opportunity to expand their footprint and add value. To ensure that this value isn’t compromised, a M&A-focused cybersecurity strategy must be in place before any transactions are initiated. For more information about this, download our free guide Cybersecurity for M&A from the M&A Playbook. Todd Thiemann, director of product marketing at ReliaQuest GreyMatter is a Security Operations Platform that can make cybersecurity possible through M&A. It provides visibility, cuts through the complex security stacks that are heterogeneous, and manages uncertainty and risk to help your company achieve its goals.