Secure Business M&A with Software for Secure Business M&A

As mergers and acquisitions (M&As) increase around the world cybersecurity is more critical than ever before. If sensitive information is accidentally divulged during M&A due-diligence or in post-M&A transactions, the stakes are high.

The good news is that the right software can help M&A CISOs ensure the accuracy of information, maintain compliance, and guard against the risks that come with M&A activities. The best data room solution integrates digital tools into an integrated platform that permits simple file uploads, one sign-on and thorough auditing. This helps compliance teams keep control by preventing accidental disclosure.

Virtual data rooms are an excellent tool for managing the M&A processes, from due diligence to post-M&A operations and integration. VDRs allow authorized users to easily review or share and comment on sensitive documents with no risk of leakage. They also permit users to create activity reports that reveal who has read or accessed specific pages of documents. These reports will deter criminals from leaking information as they can be traced back to the individual users. These reports also help M&A CISOs assess the level interest from potential investors or buyers.

Many M&A transactions are founded on intellectual property. Virtual data rooms are used by life science companies to manage everything, from clinical trial results to HIPAA compliance, to licensing IP and storing patient files. During M&A due diligence, it is common for companies to have to supply and review a large amount of documents. This can be extremely time consuming and labor intensive for both the company being acquired and the acquirer. A VDR lets you share all this information securely and efficiently.

Whatever the field, M&A can be a complicated business process that can be a significant security risk. In the integration and operation phases of the M&A data room cycle, the M&A team must understand the potential risks that cybercriminals and rivals pose. These risks may include malware, unauthorised access to networks and systems as well as sabotage and other types of disruption that could affect the M&A value offer.

M&A could be an enjoyable and profitable business experience with the right cybersecurity solutions. M&A is a huge chance for businesses to increase value and expand their global footprint. Before any transaction can commence, a M&A focused cybersecurity strategy should be put in place to ensure the value of the deal is not diminished. For more information get our free guide Cybersecurity for M&A: From the M&A Playbook. Todd Thiemann, director of marketing for products at ReliaQuest GreyMatter is a Security Operations Platform that makes cybersecurity possible via M&A. It delivers visibility, cuts through the multi-layered security stacks and manages risk and uncertainty to help your company achieve its goals.