Business Acquisition Technical Audit

If you are looking to purchase a manufacturing business, depending on the company's age, there is likely some older technology in place, such as legacy machinery running older versions of Windows, which may have access to your network. Older machines can not only pose future security risks if not effectively managed or secured, but in the manufacturing industry, they can also be very costly to replace. Modern network and cybersecurity tools can identify and mitigate these risks. However, not only older machinery needs consideration. Newer 'connected' equipment can also have an impact if not adequately secured or monitored. Understanding not only what you have now but the future changes you may need to make equips you with the information you need when making a purchase decision.

We have been working with businesses in the Real Estate industry for more than 10 years, supporting one company in its growth through an acquisition plan, growing from around 900 users to more than 3,500 users in that time. They have only been able to do this effectively by seamlessly integrating acquisitions into their wider business infrastructure, ensuring that each acquisition's technology aligned with their minimum standards and that their security was matched across their wider estate.

As with a manufacturing business, you're likely to see a lot of technology on the warehouse floor. From terminals to printers, scanners, and much more, there are many potential security problems in these high-traffic areas, many of which are unmanaged by a central IT infrastructure and fall under "Shadow IT". By understanding all the technology that is being used, such as how Wi-Fi is configured, who can access it, and where the access points are located in comparison to high traffic areas, you can get an understanding of where there may be security gaps or where technology may not meet the standards set out for operational efficiency.

For legal companies, one of the most significant considerations is the security of client information. Whilst a legal business may have less hardware than in other sectors, often just standard desktops/laptops and other office infrastructure, they often hold incredibly sensitive information which may be open to vulnerabilities if not adequately secured. Understanding the security landscape of your potential acquisition is critical to avoiding future problems.

Strict regulations bind accounting businesses (like the legal sector); however, this often does not apply to the technology within the industry, which is usually outdated, running outdated hardware or software. Many accounting companies frequently have strict processing processes across all of their internal and external transactions, "if it works, don't fix it" In these instances, software and hardware updates can cause changes to processes. As such, they do not do them, which can hide technology problems. However, newer technology and software solutions can often deliver significant gains in productivity, efficiency, and security. Ensuring that a potential acquisition stays up to date with their technology reduces the high costs of bringing them into line with your minimum technology requirements and ensures they remain productive.