1. Pre-Deal: Due Diligence

1.1 Cybersecurity Policies and Procedures

• Assess the maturity and comprehensiveness of the target’s cybersecurity policies and procedures.
• Determine if they are implemented consistently and if employees are aware and trained.
• Check if they have a dedicated team or individual responsible for cybersecurity.

1.2 Incident Response and History

• Review the target’s history of cybersecurity incidents and breaches.
• Evaluate their incident response plan, its effectiveness, and how it was applied in past incidents.

1.3 Regulatory Compliance and Litigation

• Confirm the target’s compliance with relevant cybersecurity regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA).
• Check for any past or ongoing litigation or fines related to cybersecurity.

1.4 Risk Assessment

• Review the target’s process for identifying and managing cybersecurity risks.
• Look for third-party or internal audits of the target’s cybersecurity posture.

1.5 Technology and Controls

• Evaluate the target’s IT infrastructure, including network architecture, use of cloud services, and security controls.
• Look for the use of encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security technologies.

1.6 Vendor Management

• Assess how the target manages cybersecurity with its vendors.
• Confirm if vendors comply with the target’s cybersecurity policies.

1.7 Cybersecurity Culture

• Gauge the organization’s culture towards cybersecurity.
• Is cybersecurity considered a priority? Is there a culture of awareness and training?

2. Post-Deal: Integration and Segregation

2.1 Integration Planning

• Develop a plan for integrating the target’s systems and data.
• Consider how to manage user accounts and access controls during the integration.

2.2 Security Architecture

• Assess how the combined security architecture will look post-deal.
• Consider whether the target’s systems require upgrades or enhancements to meet your security standards.

2.3 Data Migration

• Plan for secure migration of sensitive data.
• Use encryption and secure protocols during data transfer.

2.4 Access Management

• Review and revise access controls and privileges for both existing and new users.
• Implement the principle of least privilege and maintain an audit trail of access logs.

2.5 Continued Compliance

• Ensure continued compliance with all relevant regulations after the integration.
• Update privacy policies and notify users as necessary.

2.6 Segregation Planning

• If necessary, develop a plan for segregating certain systems or data.
• Ensure that segregation does not introduce vulnerabilities or compliance issues.

2.7 Ongoing Monitoring

• Set up ongoing monitoring of the combined systems for any security incidents.
• Regularly review and update the cybersecurity strategy and response plan.