Show me a company with weak cybersecurity and I will show you a company with lackluster corporate governance, anemic C-suite leadership and head-in-the-sand operations. That is why there is a new, specialized and complex business demand in the corporate world: cybersecurity due diligence.

Cybersecurity due diligence is rapidly becoming a critical factor of the decision-making calculus for a corporation contemplating a merger, acquisition, asset purchase or other business combination; an organization taking on a new vendor, partner or other alliance; or a private equity firm purchasing a new portfolio company.

In every industry, cybersecurity weaknesses represent a significant threat to the operations, reputation and the bottom line of all companies, whatever their size and wherever their location. Poor cybersecurity at any company creates tremendous risk for any suitor who buys that company, merges with that company, partners with that company or hires that company as a vendor. The mantra underlying cybersecurity due diligence concerns is simple: No matter what the terms, when adding, partnering or working with another enterprise, a company is taking on that company's data troubles and attendant data risks. Consider corporate business combinations and corporate vendor management:

Corporate Business Combinations. For corporate mergers and acquisitions and other changes in control, vigorous cybersecurity due diligence not only better informs deal terms and deal value but can also signal early deal-breakers, saving buyers from unforeseen financial costs, regulatory liabilities, technological integration headaches or even bankruptcy. Aside from offering additional opportunities to more closely assess the risk of business combinations, cybersecurity due diligence analysis can impact valuation and contracting issues as well. Without a fully developed understanding of a company's cybersecurity profile, a company cannot: