As mergers and acquisitions (M&As) increase around the world cybersecurity is more crucial than ever. The stakes are very high in the event that confidential information is not knowingly divulged to bad actors during M&A due diligence, or accidentally exposed in the post-M&A process of integration and operations.

The good news is that the right software can help M&A CISOs in ensuring integrity of data, keeping compliance, and protecting against the risks associated M&A activities. This is why they need the right data room software that combines diverse digital tools into one single integrated platform with easy uploads of files and a single sign-on, and offers comprehensive auditing and reporting which helps compliance teams maintain control of their data and prevent accidental disclosure.

Virtual data rooms are an excellent tool for managing the M&A processes from due diligence to post-M&A processes and integration. VDRs enable authorized users to review and share sensitive documents without risk of leaks. They also allow users to create activity reports, which reveal who has read or accessed specific pages of documents. These reports can stop bad actors from leaking information since they can be traced to individual users. They also allow M&A CISOs to assess the level of interest from potential buyers or investors.

Many M&A deals are dependent on the value of intellectual property. Life science companies, for example, utilize virtual data rooms to handle everything from clinical trial results and HIPAA compliance to licensing IP and the storage of patient records. In the course of M&A due diligence, it is common for companies to have to submit and review large amounts of documents. This can be extremely time consuming and labor intensive for both the business that is acquired and the acquirer. A VDR lets you share all this information securely and efficiently.

No matter what industry, M&A can be a complex business procedure that can present significant security risks. In the integration and operation phases of the M&A cycle The M&A team must understand the dangers from cybercriminals and their competitors. These risks may include malware, unauthorized access to systems and networks and sabotage as well as other forms of disruption that can compromise the M&A value offer.

With the right M&A-focused cybersecurity solutions in place M&A can be a lucrative and rewarding business experience. M&A can be a fantastic chance for businesses to increase value and expand their global reach. Before any transaction can take place it data room is essential that an M&A targeted cybersecurity plan should be implemented to ensure the value of this deal is not compromised. For more information about this, download 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 which allows cybersecurity to be achieved through M&A. It delivers visibility, cuts through complexity heterogeneous security stacks, and manages uncertainty and risk to help your company achieve its goals.