M&A Cyber Toolkit: Due Diligence to Day 100
The security work of a deal, as 12 editable templates: screen the target from public sources, run cyber due diligence, lock down the data room, brief the investment committee, handle a breach between signing and close, write the security terms of the transition services agreement, merge identity safely and run the first 100 days — plus a scorecard for private-equity portfolios and a separation checklist for carve-outs.
Template & sample only — every tool starts from sample content for fictional companies. It is a structured starting point, not legal, financial or investment advice: take clause wording to counsel and exposure figures to your deal advisers.
The toolkit in brief
- 12 Pro template tools that follow a deal from first look to Day 100, plus portfolio monitoring and divestitures.
- Each tool starts from realistic sample content for a fictional deal; subscribers replace it with their own and export a document (Word, PDF, Markdown or CSV).
- Grouped by deal phase: before signing, signing to close, Day 1 to Day 100, and portfolio & divestitures.
- Templates and samples only — not legal, financial or investment advice. Take clause wording to counsel and figures to your deal advisers.
Before signing
Screen the target, run diligence, protect the data room and tell the investment committee what you found.
Target Attack-Surface Snapshot (Passive)
Outside-in view of a target from public sources only — no scanning without written authorisation.
Pro · TemplateM&A Cyber Due Diligence
Structured cyber diligence across governance, identity, resilience, incidents and third parties.
Pro · TemplateM&A Data Room Security Checklist
Bidder least privilege, MFA, watermarking, redaction, audit logs, clean teams and offboarding.
Pro · TemplateM&A Cyber Deal Impact Calculator
Put ranges on remediation cost, run-rate increase and downtime exposure.
Pro · TemplateInvestment Committee Cyber Memo Generator
Findings, red flags, exposure, pre-close conditions and a clear recommendation on one page.
Signing to close
The gap between signature and completion: what to do if something goes wrong, how to check for an existing compromise, and the security terms of the transition.
Sign-to-Close Breach Scenario
The target is breached after signing. Make the calls and see how they score.
Pro · TemplateCompromise Assessment Plan
Scope a compromise assessment of the target before trust is extended.
Pro · TemplateTSA Security Schedule & Cyber Clause Library
Sample cyber clause wording to discuss with counsel, obligations by party and a service register.
Day 1 to Day 100
Integrate without inheriting the target’s unknown risk: identity first, then a funded 100-day plan.
Identity Merger Planner
Plan directory, SSO, privileged-access and MFA integration without over-trusting on Day 1.
Pro · TemplateM&A 100-Day Integration Plan
Sequence the first 100 days of security integration with owners and milestones.
Free · LabDay-1 Integration Security Lab
A graded drill on the decisions the morning a deal closes: connect or isolate, federate or not.
Free · TemplateM&A Day-1 Security Integration Checklist
Pre-connect gates, isolate-first posture, inherited-risk triage and a 30/60/90 plan.
Portfolio & divestitures
For funds holding many companies, and for the other direction of a deal — carving a business out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the M&A Cyber Toolkit?
A set of 12 template tools for the security side of mergers, acquisitions, private-equity ownership and divestitures: target screening, due diligence, data-room security, the investment committee memo, sign-to-close incidents, transition services agreements, identity integration, the 100-day plan, portfolio scorecards and carve-out separation.
Who is it for?
CISOs and security leaders on either side of a deal, corporate development and deal teams, private-equity operating partners, and the advisers who support them.
Is it free?
This catalogue, each tool’s landing page and its sample are public. Customising a template and exporting the generated document is part of any PlayCISO paid plan. The Day-1 Integration Security Lab and the Day-1 checklist template are free.
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