Aniket Bhardwaj

So one of the biggest trends we are seeing is that cyber security is no longer an afterthought in M&A. It's becoming a deal driver. So PE or private equity firms are getting more sophisticated about modifying cyber risk before the deal closes. They want to know, is there a breach history? Are there legacy systems or shadow IT that could create downstream exposure?

So one of the biggest trends we are seeing is that cyber security is no longer an afterthought in M&A. It's becoming a deal driver. So PE or private equity firms are getting more sophisticated about modifying cyber risk before the deal closes. They want to know, is there a breach history? Are there legacy systems or shadow IT that could create downstream exposure?

And most importantly, how much will it cost and how long will it take to bring the target company up to the acquirer's security standards? Another trend is around post acquisition readiness. So for instance, PE firms are starting to ask for playbooks, such as how do we onboard a new portfolio company securely? How do we prepare for ransomware incidents or regulatory scrutiny?

And most importantly, how much will it cost and how long will it take to bring the target company up to the acquirer's security standards? Another trend is around post acquisition readiness. So for instance, PE firms are starting to ask for playbooks, such as how do we onboard a new portfolio company securely? How do we prepare for ransomware incidents or regulatory scrutiny?

Especially if the target is in a highly regulated space, again, like healthcare or FinTech or biotech. We are also seeing more interest in attack surface management as part of the overall due diligence. Really, firms want to understand, for example, what's publicly exposed before they even inherit the risk. Now, when it comes to cyber risk, it's now firmly a business risk.

Especially if the target is in a highly regulated space, again, like healthcare or FinTech or biotech. We are also seeing more interest in attack surface management as part of the overall due diligence. Really, firms want to understand, for example, what's publicly exposed before they even inherit the risk. Now, when it comes to cyber risk, it's now firmly a business risk.

And then in the context of M&A or M&A ecosystem, it's really affecting valuations, warranties, and integration timelines. The smartest firms are using it as leverage, really both to negotiate and to protect their investment post-close. But again, really, at the end of the day, cyber diligence has become a competitive advantage, not just another compliance checkbox.

And then in the context of M&A or M&A ecosystem, it's really affecting valuations, warranties, and integration timelines. The smartest firms are using it as leverage, really both to negotiate and to protect their investment post-close. But again, really, at the end of the day, cyber diligence has become a competitive advantage, not just another compliance checkbox.

That's a key element to understand. Now, the firms that get it right don't just avoid the downside. They really move faster, pay smarter, and sleep better at night.

That's a key element to understand. Now, the firms that get it right don't just avoid the downside. They really move faster, pay smarter, and sleep better at night.

So with the respect of cyber insurance, it's becoming increasingly important. We are hearing more and more organizations really ensuring that insurance needs to be in place. Now, with respect to insurance in general, it's definitely about transferring risk is what we have historically heard. But again, no matter how strong your defenses are, no organization is immune to cyber threats either.

So with the respect of cyber insurance, it's becoming increasingly important. We are hearing more and more organizations really ensuring that insurance needs to be in place. Now, with respect to insurance in general, it's definitely about transferring risk is what we have historically heard. But again, no matter how strong your defenses are, no organization is immune to cyber threats either.

So whether, again, it's ransomware or data theft or any regulatory fallout, I mean, insurance or cyber insurance really steps in to help organizations recover financially and operationally when those threats become the reality. How it typically works, I mean, there are various elements to keep in mind. You know, there's the coverage element.

So whether, again, it's ransomware or data theft or any regulatory fallout, I mean, insurance or cyber insurance really steps in to help organizations recover financially and operationally when those threats become the reality. How it typically works, I mean, there are various elements to keep in mind. You know, there's the coverage element.

You know, does a cyber insurance policy cover things like incident response costs, forensic investigations, you know, costs of engaging a legal counsel, again, ensuring that regulatory fines, you know, there are too many coverage elements that we need to really keep in mind, then they really help in the element of response coordination.

You know, does a cyber insurance policy cover things like incident response costs, forensic investigations, you know, costs of engaging a legal counsel, again, ensuring that regulatory fines, you know, there are too many coverage elements that we need to really keep in mind, then they really help in the element of response coordination.

So most insurance policies, they really give you access to a panel of experts, for instance, like forensic firms that they have on panel, breach coaches, PR specialists. So again, you're not alone in the whole crisis situation. In fact, it's often the insurer who activates and coordinates the whole response, which is the whole duty of it. Then you also have risk incentives.

So most insurance policies, they really give you access to a panel of experts, for instance, like forensic firms that they have on panel, breach coaches, PR specialists. So again, you're not alone in the whole crisis situation. In fact, it's often the insurer who activates and coordinates the whole response, which is the whole duty of it. Then you also have risk incentives.

Like in my opinion, many insurers are now like tying premiums and coverage to the strength of your cyber posture. So better controls, better coverage, better hygiene, you know, obviously you'll pay more if none of that is effective. And then obviously at some point may even become uninsurable if the ultimate hygiene of your IT environment is not looking good.

Like in my opinion, many insurers are now like tying premiums and coverage to the strength of your cyber posture. So better controls, better coverage, better hygiene, you know, obviously you'll pay more if none of that is effective. And then obviously at some point may even become uninsurable if the ultimate hygiene of your IT environment is not looking good.