Private Equity Cyber Security is rapidly becoming a core part of value protection and growth across the investment lifecycle. With cyber-attacks increasing in frequency and sophistication, private equity firms are under growing pressure to understand and manage cyber risk across their portfolios
Private Equity Cyber Security is now a boardroom concern, not just an IT issue
From acquisition to exit, cyber security must be viewed as a business-critical factor that directly impacts valuation, reputation and investor confidence.
Why Private Equity Cyber Security Cannot Be Ignored
The traditional focus for private equity has been on operational efficiency, financial performance and sector-specific opportunity. However, this is no longer enough. A single cyber incident at a portfolio company can result in regulatory penalties, class action lawsuits, data loss, reputational damage and exit delays. Worse, it can devalue the firm’s investment.
Recent attacks against businesses in healthcare, finance and legal sectors have shown that even mid-sized firms can be high-value targets for ransomware groups and criminal networks. Many of these organisations lacked the in-house expertise or resources to defend themselves. For private equity stakeholders, that introduces an unacceptable layer of unmanaged risk.
Common Weak Points Across Portfolios
Private equity portfolios often include companies of different sizes, industries and maturity levels. This variation means cyber risk is inconsistent and often underestimated. Common vulnerabilities include:
- Outdated or unpatched systems
- Poor staff awareness of phishing and social engineering tactics
- Lack of multi-factor authentication
- No formal incident response plan
- Minimal security oversight during rapid growth or digital transformation
Crucially, cyber risk is rarely uniform. Some companies may appear low risk but handle sensitive data or operate in highly regulated sectors, making them soft targets with high impact potential.
The Role of MSSPs in Private Equity Cyber Security
Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) offer a scalable and cost-effective solution to the complex cyber needs of private equity portfolios. Instead of each company sourcing its own tools, training and response protocols, MSSPs offer a unified layer of protection with real-time monitoring, specialist skills and faster response.
This approach offers several key advantages:
- Standardised security posture across the portfolio
- Centralised reporting and compliance oversight
- Immediate access to skills such as penetration testing, incident response and threat detection
- Reduced costs through economies of scale
- Clear documentation for investors and regulators
MSSPs can help private equity firms benchmark cyber security maturity at the time of acquisition, remediate urgent risks during ownership and present a stronger cyber posture at exit.
Amicis Group – Cyber Security Partner for Private Equity
Amicis Group is a trusted MSSP partner to the private equity community, delivering enterprise-grade cyber protection tailored to SME and mid-market portfolio companies. We understand the pressure to secure assets while maintaining agility and controlling costs.
Our CyberGuard service provides:
- Managed Detection & Response (MDR) across endpoints and devices
- Security awareness training for staff
- Ongoing vulnerability scanning and remediation support
- Penetration testing and technical audits
- Incident response planning and compromise assessment
- Support for Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 alignment
Whether you are assessing risk before acquisition, managing cyber hygiene during ownership, or preparing for due diligence ahead of exit, Amicis Group works alongside your teams to protect and enhance portfolio value.
A Strategic Advantage, Not Just a Compliance Exercise
Cyber security in the private equity sector is no longer just an IT line item. It is a lever for growth, a safeguard against loss and a marker of governance strength. Private equity firms that take a proactive and consistent approach to cyber security will position their portfolios for greater resilience and higher exit multiples.
Amicis Group is here to help you take that step with confidence. Contact us today.
