Trusted Cybersecurity Due Diligence Leadership for
Mergers and Acquisitions
Cybersecurity Due Diligence Expert for M&A
Cybersecurity Due Diligence for M&A – Why It Matters
In today's digital age, cybersecurity risks can undermine M&A success. Threat actors target IT vulnerabilities during transitional periods, making robust cybersecurity due diligence essential. Whether it’s validating system integrity, assessing incident history, or preparing for integration, Richard Keenlyside helps clients uncover the unknowns before signing the deal.
Richard brings a proven methodology that balances speed with rigour—tailored to the timescales of fast-moving private equity deals.
Why Choose Richard Keenlyside?
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Over 34 years of experience as CIO, Transformation Director, and M&A advisor
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Expertise in global acquisitions and cross-sector cybersecurity due diligence
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Track record of improving post-deal integration and security posture
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Trusted advisor to private equity firms, FTSE 250, and global manufacturing leaders
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Author of multiple eBooks on Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
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Extensive M&A Cybersecurity Expertise
Richard has led or advised on over fifteen global mergers and acquisitions, including complex carve-outs and multi-country transitions. Working across retail, manufacturing, financial services, logistics, and utilities sectors, he evaluates target companies’ IT infrastructures, policies, cybersecurity maturity, and regulatory compliance.
His services include:
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Cybersecurity Risk Assessments
Identification of threats, vulnerabilities, and control gaps, with practical mitigation strategies. -
IT Infrastructure & Cloud Security Reviews
Evaluations of cloud architectures (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud), legacy systems, and hybrid environments. -
Security Governance & Policy Analysis
Benchmarking target company practices against industry best practice and compliance standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIST. -
Third-Party & Supply Chain Risk Analysis
Validation of vendor and third-party cybersecurity posture. -
Incident Response and Breach History Assessment
Review of past incidents and the maturity of incident detection and response capabilities. -
Cyber Integration Planning
Post-deal strategies for IT and cybersecurity alignment across the merged entities.
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Sector-Spanning M&A Support
Richard's cybersecurity due diligence expertise spans across:
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Private Equity and Venture Capital
Supporting leading PE firms through technology evaluations, risk profiling, and IT carve-out readiness. -
Retail & eCommerce
Ensuring data protection for customer-centric businesses, including POS and ERP integrations. -
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Evaluating OT/IT convergence, IoT vulnerabilities, and securing critical systems in industrial environments. -
Financial Services
Focusing on data integrity, customer privacy, and regulatory compliance in sensitive markets. -
Utilities & Telecommunications
Navigating legacy systems and critical infrastructure cybersecurity requirements.
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Real-World Impact
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For an automotive manufacturing group, Richard enhanced cybersecurity posture by introducing a Security Operations Centre (SOC), conducting external and internal penetration testing, and leading a multi-region cybersecurity upgrade initiative.
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At a major EV business divestiture, he developed an investment options paper that included cybersecurity compliance, SAP S4/HANA migration readiness, and secure separation from the parent group.
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For a national retailer, he led the implementation of GDPR, created data governance policies, and oversaw CRM transformation, ensuring compliance and readiness for acquisition.
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With Endava/Intuitus, Richard has worked with top-tier private equity firms delivering over 15 due diligence assignments, providing insight into cybersecurity readiness, data governance, and integration planning.
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Your Expert in Cybersecurity M&A Due Diligence
Richard Keenlyside is not just a technical consultant; he’s a strategic business partner with the rare ability to translate deep technical insight into commercial value. His work reduces risk, improves acquisition success rates, and ensures compliance in complex M&A scenarios.
From private equity investment evaluations to post-deal integration strategies, Richard delivers a complete cybersecurity due diligence solution that supports informed decision-making.
A Proven Due Diligence Framework
Richard employs a structured, outcome-driven approach tailored for M&A environments:
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Discovery & Scoping – Understand the acquisition timeline, data availability, and transaction goals.
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Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment – Review of policies, controls, network architecture, cloud environments, and compliance.
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Vulnerability Analysis – Using internal tools or external partnerships for red teaming and penetration testing.
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Reporting & Recommendations – Clear reporting of risk areas, remediation priorities, and post-acquisition cyber strategy.
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Post-Deal Planning – Guidance on integrating cybersecurity teams, systems, and protocols within the acquiring entity.
Richard Keenlyside is a highly respected interim and fractional CIO, IT, and Transformation Director, with over three decades of experience leading technology strategy, digital transformation, and cybersecurity risk analysis across global sectors. He specialises in supporting Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) with deep cybersecurity due diligence—critical for investors, private equity firms, and acquiring companies.
Richard provides independent, trusted advisory on cybersecurity readiness, threat landscape evaluation, and post-acquisition risk management. He ensures acquisition targets meet rigorous standards in data protection, compliance, and IT governance—minimising risk and enabling secure value creation.