Guardantix services
Virtual M&A Cybersecurity Architect
Deal Speed. Cyber Risk Quantification. Integration Leadership.
Traditional M&A cyber due diligence is episodic. One target, one report, everyone moves on. But PE firms and platform companies live in ongoing deal cycles with repeated exposure to cyber debt, inconsistent controls, and integration risk.
The vM&A program provides a portfolio-level M&A cyber partner who supports deal teams across transactions: screening targets, leading due diligence, quantifying risk in financial terms, and shaping integration plans that preserve deal value. Unlike one-off engagements, the vM&A retainer ensures consistent methodology from pre-LOI screening through Day 1/Day 100 integration and portfolio governance.
Cyber Risk You Can’t See
(Until It’s Too Late)
Every acquisition brings risk you can’t see until it’s too late:
- Different consultants on each deal. No playbook, inconsistent quality, surprises in integration.
- Cyber debt discovered post-close. Unbudgeted remediation costs eating into deal returns.
- Integration complexity. Aggressive timelines, fragmented systems, no single accountable executive.
- Portfolio-wide blind spots. Each company operates independently; no visibility into aggregate cyber risk.
- LP and lender pressure. Financing partners raising cyber risk concerns; documentation requests you can’t answer.
- Exit-readiness concerns. Cyber gaps will surface in buyer diligence; no one owns the narrative.
From Screening to Integration
Deal Lifecycle
- Pre-LOI screening and rapid risk assessment of targets
- Full M&A cyber due diligence with remediation cost quantification
- Red-flag summaries for investment committees
- Day 1 / Day 100 integration planning and oversight
- Integration milestone tracking and issue escalation
Portfolio Governance
- Portfolio-wide cyber governance and standardized baselines
- Quarterly portfolio cyber dashboard for PE leadership
- Portfolio risk register and benchmarking
- Security standards and policy frameworks (annual refresh)
- M&A cyber playbook development specific to your strategy
Deliverables
- Target risk profiles and maturity scorecards
- Remediation cost themes and budget estimates
- Integration blueprints and milestone trackers
- Quarterly portfolio cyber reports for operating partners and LPs
- Sector-specific diligence questionnaires and red-flag catalogs
Is This You?
PE Firms with Active Deal Pipelines You’re evaluating 10+ targets per year and closing 2 to 5 deals. Each deal currently gets a different consultant. The vM&A provides consistent diligence quality, accumulated context across your portfolio, and a playbook that improves with every transaction.
Platform Companies Executing Roll-Ups You’re integrating acquired companies with inconsistent IT environments and security practices. Board timelines are aggressive. The vM&A oversees integration planning, ensures acquired companies meet platform standards, and maintains visibility across entities.
Sponsors Preparing Portfolio for Exit Cyber gaps will surface in buyer diligence. The vM&A ensures portfolio companies have documented security programs, remediates gaps before they become deal issues, and prepares the narrative that supports premium valuations.
Deal Value Protected
- Faster, more consistent deal assessment with cyber risks quantified early
- Fewer post-close surprises through known remediation budgets and prioritized roadmaps
- Avoided acquisitions when screening identifies high-risk targets before significant diligence spend
- Portfolio-wide cyber visibility and standardized controls
- Exit-ready portfolio companies with documented security programs
- LP confidence through demonstrable cyber governance across the portfolio
Scope Boundaries
The vM&A is executive leadership and oversight, not implementation:
- Deep diligence beyond allocation. Additional deals billed per the pricing table.
- Large-scale integration execution. Intensive hands-on integration requires Operator Series engagement.
- Hands-on technical remediation. We plan and oversee; portfolio company teams or contractors execute.
- Penetration testing. Coordinated through partner network or client-directed vendors.
- 24×7 incident response. DFIR referred to specialist partners; we provide leadership coordination.
- Legal, financial, or tax diligence. We work alongside counsel and other advisors.
Ready to Get Ahead of Cyber Risk in Your Deals?
Let’s start with a conversation. In 60 to 90 minutes, we’ll discuss your deal flow, portfolio visibility needs, and determine if vM&A is the right fit.
