Private Equity and a Historic Approach to Cybersecurity
Abacode urges private equity firms to mitigate cybersecurity risks in the M&A process
The exponential increase in both frequency and severity of cybersecurity breaches over the past few years has prompted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to propose significant new cybersecurity rules.
These rules will require registered investment advisers and investment companies to enhance and standardize their cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance, and incident reporting. The primary objective of these proposals is to address the threat to investor confidence, as a decrease in investor confidence can directly impact a private equity firm’s ability to raise capital and generate returns.
This section of the report is sponsored by Abacode and originally appeared in the special edition Middle Market Growth: the 2023 MAX Awards issue.
The consequences of a cybersecurity incident can be profound, resulting in far-reaching and long-lasting effects that can compromise a firm’s financial stability, reputation, and intellectual property. Consequently, private equity firms must adopt proactive measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks. This includes implementing robust security policies and procedures, conducting frequent vulnerability assessments, providing comprehensive employee training and awareness programs, and consistently monitoring their cybersecurity performance.
Private equity firms should also formulate a comprehensive cybersecurity plan, outlining the strategies, policies, and procedures required to safeguard against cyber threats. The plan should include a documented incident response protocol and a roadmap for implementing security controls and measures aimed at mitigating identified risks. Regular cybersecurity audits should be scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of the firm’s cybersecurity program and identify any weaknesses or vulnerabilities that may exist.
The consequences of a cybersecurity incident can be profound, resulting in far-reaching and long-lasting effects that can compromise a firm’s financial stability, reputation, and intellectual property.
Moreover, private equity firms must routinely conduct pre- and post-acquisition assessments of target companies to identify potential cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, the efficacy of cybersecurity policies, procedures, and controls, and identify any data privacy and regulatory compliance risks. A robust vendor management program is also a critical component in mitigating third-party cyber risk.
Private equity firms should ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, which are typically prescribed in cybersecurity frameworks such as PCI and SOC2. Outsourcing cybersecurity and compliance solutions to qualified firms is often more effective and cost-efficient than attempting to handle it in-house.
Related content: Teaching Active M&A Dogs New Privacy and Cybersecurity Tricks: 5 New Approaches for Serial Acquirers
Abacode is a leading cybersecurity and compliance firm that works closely with private equity and the advisory sector to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity and compliance solutions. Abacode’s cybersecurity framework encompasses people, processes, and technology, designed to protect businesses from a range of cyber threats, including hacking, ransomware, and data breaches. Through its MCCP CoreTM approach, Abacode’s cybersecurity and compliance solutions are combined into one holistic program, aligning cybersecurity efforts with regulatory and legal obligations, streamlining the process of implementing security controls, and enhancing communication and collaboration between different teams within the organization.
The rising threat of cybercrime, coupled with the increase in government oversight, necessitates private equity firms to adopt proactive measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Complying with relevant regulations and standards, conducting pre- and post-acquisition assessments of target companies, and formulating a comprehensive cybersecurity plan that encompasses people, processes, and technology are all critical components of an effective cybersecurity program. Abacode’s comprehensive approach to cybersecurity and compliance provides several advantages over other cybersecurity solutions, leading to improved security, better compliance, and more efficient operations.
In conclusion, organizations cannot depend solely on procuring cyber products and solutions. One of the most overlooked factors is engaging a partner capable of advising, implementing, and managing a structured program that operates independently of internal or external IT functions. This approach ensures proper checks and balances, akin to the best practices of tax and audit.
Middle Market Growth is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To learn more about the organization and how to become a member, visit www.acg.org.
