The pre-close phase of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a critical period for addressing cybersecurity concerns, as it can significantly impact the success of the transaction and the future integration of the companies involved. During this 30-day period, often overshadowed by other priorities, it is essential to establish a transition services agreement (TSA) to clarify cybersecurity responsibilities and manage risks identified during due diligence. Conducting hygiene assessments and implementing comprehensive monitoring, detection, and response solutions are crucial steps to ensure network security and minimize vulnerabilities. CrowdStrike's Falcon Complete service offers managed detection and response capabilities to support organizations throughout this phase, emphasizing the importance of strategic cybersecurity investments to protect customer data and maintain the value of the acquisition. Effective handling of cybersecurity during pre-close can prevent costly breaches, with research indicating the average cost of a data breach can exceed $3.86 million, and prepare the organization for a smoother post-close integration.