CrowdStrike's blog highlights the importance of thorough cybersecurity assessments in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to prevent inheriting vulnerabilities from acquired firms. An anecdote is shared where a firm with an aggressive M&A strategy overlooked cybersecurity postures in its evaluations, resulting in potential risks. CrowdStrike conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity maturity assessment (CSMA) using its Falcon platform and Forensic Collector tools, which revealed a possible recent compromise at the target firm. Through roundtable discussions with both parties, CrowdStrike facilitated better understanding and relationships, emphasizing the need for security-first integration strategies. The engagement underscored the necessity of cybersecurity diligence in M&A processes and provided actionable recommendations for the acquiring firm to enhance its security posture and avert potential threats.