Cyber Target Screening for M&A

Know the cyber risk before the deal picks up speed

We assess a target’s cybersecurity from the outside with automated tools, directed and checked by our cyber experts, without access to the company and stealth on request. In 3 to 5 working days we deliver a red-flag memo and a first Cyber Value Scorecard.

Result in 3 to 5 working days
No access, stealth on request
Automated, directed by experts

Schedule a meeting

Two intcube team members in a workshop with sticky notes on the wall

In short: Cyber target screening is a fast, automated outside-in read of a target company’s cyber risk, directed and checked by our cyber experts, without access to the company and stealth on request. In three to five working days we deliver a red-flag memo and a first Cyber Value Scorecard with a benchmark for your decision.

Duration: 3 to 5 working days
Result: Red-flag memo, first Cyber Value Scorecard with benchmark, recommendation for the DD scope
Contact: David Fuhr

Whether a target is pursued is often decided before there is a data room.

Cyber risk then only shows up in due diligence, after time and money have gone into the deal. A past ransomware incident, outdated systems on the internet or leaked credentials change the valuation, sometimes the whole deal.

With a cyber screening you know early what to look for: are there red flags against the deal? Where does due diligence need to look closer? How does the target compare with similar companies?

Automated tools collect the publicly available information; our experts direct the analysis and check every finding, with the experience of more than 50 due diligence projects.

Unknown incidents
Exposed attack surface
Unfocused due diligence

Know red flags early

How large is the target’s attack surface? Are there signs of past incidents or leaked credentials? How well kept are its mail and web configuration? And how does it compare with similar companies?

We deliver the answers in three to five working days, as a basis for your decision and for the due diligence scope.

With int[cube]'s cyber target screening:

Attack surface

Domains, subdomains, exposed services and outdated software visible from outside

Mail and web hygiene

SPF, DKIM, DMARC, TLS, certificates and security headers

Leaks and incidents

Leaked credentials, past incidents and entries on ransomware leak sites

Public signals and benchmark

Tech stack, certifications, security hiring and press, compared with similar companies.

Red-flag memo and scorecard

Findings with context, a first Cyber Value Scorecard and a recommendation for the due diligence scope.

A basis for the decision before the deal gets expensive.

Fast

Red-flag memo and scorecard in three to five working days, because data collection is automated.

Stealth on request

We need neither access to the target nor its cooperation. On request, it never learns about the assessment.

Data-driven

The scorecard shows where the target stands against similar companies and travels with the deal into due diligence.

Start before the letter of intent.

Enhance your cybersecurity now

Know what you are getting into

We assess targets from the outside and deliver a red-flag memo before you put time and money into due diligence.

Resources for deal teams

Cyber Due Diligence Checklist for Private Equity Deals: a practical checklist covering governance, identity, external attack surface, product security, data protection, incident response, third-party risk, backups, and the post-close 100-day plan. Use it before signing.

The Cyber Resilience Act for private equity: who is affected, the 24-hour reporting duty since September 2026, the December 2027 deadline and what to check in due diligence.

‍

With as a partner

Know red flags before the letter of intent
Focus the due diligence where it matters
See the target against similar companies
Assess in stealth if needed, without involving the target

Cyber Value Scorecard at this step

First read from outside

Exposure
Control maturity
Remediation effort

← Private equityOverview: all 7 stepsCybersecurity across the whole investment lifecycle After · Step 2 of 7 →Due diligenceHands over: Red-flag memo that sets the due diligence scope

Frequently asked questions

What is cyber target screening?

A fast, automated outside-in read of a target company’s cyber risk, without access to the company. Our experts direct the analysis of the attack surface, mail and web hygiene, leaks and past incidents and public signals, check every finding and compare the result with similar companies.

Do you need access to the target?

No. We use only publicly available information, and the target does not need to cooperate. On request we work in stealth, so the target never learns about it. That is why screening also works before the letter of intent.

How much of it is automated?

Data collection and first analyses are automated, which makes screening fast and broad. A cyber expert sets the scope, checks every finding and writes the assessment. Nothing goes into the red-flag memo without that review.

How long does it take?

Three to five working days to the red-flag memo and scorecard.

What do we get?

A red-flag memo with findings and context, a first Cyber Value Scorecard with a benchmark, and a recommendation on what the due diligence should focus on.

Does screening replace due diligence?

No. Screening is faster and broader, but sees only the outside. A light-touch cyber due diligence sits between screening and due diligence, with minimal access to the company, such as the data room. With full access, the cybersecurity due diligence follows.

How does it fit into the investment lifecycle?

It is the first of seven steps: the red-flag memo sets the due diligence scope. The whole process is on our page Cybersecurity for private equity firms.

Judge targets early

Book a conversation with David Fuhr and learn how a cyber screening protects your deal decision.

Book a call now

Questions in advance? Write to us!

David Fuhr

Founding Partner and CTO