A recent report highlighted by IT Pro, referencing findings from Palo Alto Networks, reinforces a persistent theme within cybersecurity: the majority of breaches are not the result of sophisticated zero-day exploits, but of preventable security gaps and weaknesses in identity controls.

The research indicates that poor identity governance, misconfigurations, and basic security hygiene failures remain primary enablers of compromise. Weak authentication practices, excessive user privileges, unpatched systems, and insufficient monitoring continue to provide attackers with straightforward paths into organisational environments. In many cases, the initial intrusion could have been prevented through stronger identity management and more consistent control enforcement.

Identity has increasingly become the central attack surface. As organisations adopt cloud platforms, remote working models, and third-party integrations, identity credentials often provide the fastest route to sensitive systems. Where privileged access is not tightly managed, or multi-factor authentication is inconsistently implemented, risk exposure increases significantly.

These findings align closely with regulatory expectations. Frameworks such as PCI DSS v4.0.1 place greater emphasis on multi-factor authentication, access control governance, and continuous monitoring. Similarly, standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST CSF 2.0 reinforce the need for structured identity and access management practices. Preventable control failures are no longer viewed as operational oversights — they are indicators of governance weakness.

For organisations operating in regulated sectors, the implications extend beyond technical remediation. Breaches linked to basic control failures can lead to reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and increased due diligence from customers and partners.

The message is clear: while advanced threat actors continue to evolve, many successful attacks still exploit fundamental weaknesses. Strengthening identity controls, enforcing least privilege, maintaining configuration hygiene, and conducting regular validation testing remain among the most effective measures organisations can take to reduce risk.

Source: IT Pro – Vast Majority of Breaches Enabled by Preventable Gaps and Identity Weaknesses, Says Palo Alto Networks
https://www.itpro.com/security/cyber-attacks/vast-majority-breaches-enabled-preventable-gaps-identity-weaknesses-palo-alto-networks

A recent article published by Forbes explores the growing need for private equity firms to integrate cybersecurity directly into their investment strategy. As portfolio companies become increasingly interconnected through shared systems, cloud platforms, and third-party providers, the potential impact of a single cyber incident can extend well beyond one entity. Cyber risk is no longer isolated at company level — it can affect valuation, reputation, and exit outcomes across the portfolio.

The article highlights that cybersecurity due diligence must move beyond basic IT checks and become embedded within acquisition, integration, and value-creation processes. Investors are encouraged to assess governance structures, incident response maturity, third-party risk exposure, regulatory obligations, and board-level oversight. The emphasis is shifting from reactive remediation to proactive resilience and long-term risk management.

This is particularly relevant within the evolving regulatory landscape. In Europe, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) introduces heightened expectations around ICT risk management, operational resilience testing, incident reporting, and third-party oversight for financial entities and certain technology providers. Even where private equity firms are not directly regulated, portfolio companies operating within the financial ecosystem — or supporting regulated entities — may fall within scope. Regulatory scrutiny of cyber governance is increasing, and investors are expected to demonstrate oversight and accountability.

For private equity firms, integrating cybersecurity early in the investment lifecycle reduces hidden liabilities, minimises post-acquisition remediation costs, and strengthens exit readiness. Mature cybersecurity governance can also enhance buyer confidence, particularly in sectors subject to PCI DSS, data protection requirements, or financial regulation.

Cybersecurity is no longer a peripheral technical concern. It is a material investment risk and a strategic value driver. Firms that treat it as such are better positioned to protect portfolio value, demonstrate regulatory awareness, and support sustainable growth.

 

Source: Forbes – Risky Business: Integrating Cybersecurity Into Private Equity Strategy
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/02/18/risky-business-integrating-cybersecurity-into-private-equitys-endtoend-strategy/