Question 1

Phase 1: Pre-Close–Pre-Acquisition Diligence

Accepted Answer

A defensible, quantified view of cyber risk that informs price, deal terms and Day 1 priorities

What It is

Cyber diligence calibrated to the deal timeline and target complexity. Engagements scale from rapid red-flag assessments on compressed timelines to deep-dive reviews for complex or regulated targets, every engagement translating findings into deal-relevant terms.

Why It Matters

The goal is not a checklist. Findings are quantified as remediation costs; mapped to regulatory exposure; and structured as inputs to the purchase agreement, rep and warranty discussions, and the 100-day value creation plan. Where pre-close access permits, technical validation layers onto document review: external attack surface scanning, dark web and credential exposure analysis, and lightweight identity and tenant configuration review.

Key Deliverables

Cyber risk diligence report with quantified remediation costs
Insurance and prior incident posture analysis
Deal term and rep and warranty input memo
External attack surface scan and credential exposure (optional)

Question 2

Phase 2: First 90 Days–Post-Close Technical Baseline

Accepted Answer

A factual baseline of cyber posture and a sequenced remediation road map to anchor the hold period

What It is

A rapid, tool-assisted assessment conducted within the first 30 to 90 days after close. Using commercial-grade endpoint and identity tooling, this engagement identifies technical realities that document-based diligence cannot access.

What It Establishes

Findings combine with pre-acquisition diligence observations to create a prioritized remediation road map with named owners and target timelines. An initial posture score is anchored to the sponsor’s tactical control framework, the benchmark against which progress is measured throughout the hold period.

Key Deliverables

Identity health assessment (MFA, privileged access, tenant hygiene)
Endpoint and asset health review via CrowdStrike or equivalent endpoint detection and response solution
Compromise assessment for indicators of prior or active breach
External attack surface discovery and shadow IT identification
Prioritized remediation road map with owners and timelines

Question 3

Phase 3: Hold Period–Portfolio Monitoring

Accepted Answer

Measurable risk reduction at each portco and a unified portfolio view for the sponsor

The Advisor Model

A named advisor is assigned to each portco by the sponsor—operating at the intersection of sponsor expectations and portco execution. The advisor interprets findings, coaches the CIO/IT lead and ensures the tactical control set is implemented, not merely acknowledged.

Sponsor-level Visibility

Progress is tracked against a sponsor-defined control framework (typically a focused subset of Center for Internet Security Controls or NIST Cybersecurity Framework), producing a portfolio-wide view used for benchmarking, LP reporting and prioritization. Standard cadence: monthly or quarterly check-ins with portco tech leadership; semiannual readouts to the sponsor’s operating partner; and ad-hoc escalation for incidents, bolt-ons and board-level questions.

Core Services

Named advisor with routine portco engagement
Progress tracking against sponsor-defined controls
Portfolio-level posture dashboard and trend reporting
Material risk escalation to sponsor operating team

Optional Add-ons

Continuous external attack surface monitoring
Phishing simulations and awareness benchmarking
Annual ransomware tabletop exercise
IR retainer with defined service-level agreements
Diligence support for bolt-on acquisitions

Question 4

Phase 4: Exit Window–Exit Readiness & Value Capture

Accepted Answer

A defensible cyber narrative that protects valuation and keeps the sale process on its timeline

When It Starts

Exit readiness activities begin six to twelve months before the anticipated sale. The advisor shifts focus from ongoing risk reduction to preparing the portco’s cyber posture for buy-side scrutiny.

What It Prevents–and Produces

Cyber has become a material diligence finding in nearly every deal process. Sponsors who haven’t invested during the hold period face remediation demands, re-trades, escrow holdbacks or extended timelines at exit. A documented cyber improvement story does more than avoid friction; it demonstrates operational discipline to the buyer and supports the broader value creation narrative the sponsor presents at exit.

Key Deliverables

Exit readiness assessment and gap analysis
Targeted remediation sprint for diligence-likely findings
Cyber narrative and evidence package for the data room
Buy-side diligence response support
▪ Post-signing transition support as needed

Tier	Who It’s for	What’s Included
Tier One - Deal	Deal teams engaging Kroll on a single live transaction	Pre-acquisition cyber diligence scaled to the deal window Quantified remediation costs and deal-term inputs Optional technical validation where access permits Findings carry into the 100-day plan
Tier Two - Portfolio Company	Operating partners building security at individual portcos through the hold	Post-close baseline in first 90 days Named advisor and hold-period monitoring Technical assessments and Kroll Responder MDR IR retainer and exit readiness
Tier Three - Fund	Funds standardizing cyber across the portfolio—one framework, one advisor relationship, LP-ready	Portfolio posture dashboard and cross-portco benchmarking LP, board and insurer reporting pack Umbrella IR retainer with pre-negotiated preferred terms · Named portfolio lead with operating-partner readouts Diligence coverage for every new deal and bolt-on

Private Equity Cybersecurity Services

One Relationship, Two Sides

Thousands

50+

700+

The Lifecycle Approach

Protect Value at Every Stage of the Hold

Always-On Rails

What the Fund Gets