Stacy Scott Discusses Cyber Risk and M&A Due Diligence With the Wall Street Journal

Companies in the middle of an M&A transaction are faced with growing questions pertaining to due diligence and integration. With large numbers of employees transitioning to working remotely, routine security practices, such as two-factor authentication, are difficult for organizations to track internally. Opportunistic cyber criminals seek to exploit the new workplace upheaval, according to Stacy Scott, Managing Director in the Cyber Risk practice of Kroll, a division of Duff & Phelps, in two articles for The Wall Street Journal.

When it comes to M&A, Stacy states, “More risks hang over every potential deal,” and as more executives and lawyers work from home offices and communicate digitally security questions extend to due diligence process. However, dealmaking will pick up as the economy reopens and businesses begin to forecast their earnings with more certainty. This has forced board members to refocus their attention to cyber risk awareness as companies that adapt their cyber security practices to the coronavirus pandemic could become more appealing acquisition targets.

The Wall Street Journal subscribers can read “Coronavirus Cyber Security Concerns Could Add Hurdles to Dealmaking” here.

WSJ Pro subscribers can read “Cyber Daily: Coronavirus Complicates M&A Due Diligence; Nintendo Gamers Breached” here.