FTI Consulting Study Reveals Cybersecurity Attacks Are an Increasing Threat to M&A
Rhea-AI Summary
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) released CISO Redefined III on March 17, 2026, finding cybersecurity incidents are increasingly tied to M&A transactions. Nearly 1 in 4 executives experienced a cyber incident during or shortly after a deal; 42% reported significant deal value reduction and 58% said financial targets were impaired.
The survey of 278 senior leaders was conducted August 12–26, 2025, and highlights gaps in CISO involvement, post-close diligence, and cross-team collaboration that create material exposure for dealmakers.
Positive
- 67% of heads of M&A view the CISO as very critical during transactions
- 76% of general counsel view the CISO as very critical during transactions
- Survey sampled 278 senior leaders across companies with ≥500 employees (Aug 12–26, 2025)
Negative
- 42% of respondents reported significant deal value reduction due to cyber incidents
- 58% said financial targets were impaired following cyber incidents
- 20% of deals were delayed or paused because of a cyber incident
- 34% of CISOs are not heavily involved in transaction decisions
- 23% of executives manage cybersecurity risks proactively after close
News Market Reaction – FCN
On the day this news was published, FCN gained 0.93%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
FCN slipped 0.41% with light volume, while most close peers (HURN, BAH, ICFI, CRAI) also showed declines. However, DGNX gained 3.77%, and no peers appeared in momentum scanners, pointing to stock-specific rather than sector-driven dynamics.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11 | AI adoption study | Positive | +0.3% | Report highlighting rapid generative AI adoption in corporate legal departments. |
| Mar 09 | CFO appointment | Positive | -0.5% | Election of Angela Nam as CFO with prior high-growth aviation experience. |
| Mar 02 | Senior hire mining | Positive | +1.4% | Appointment of Carrie Grimes to strengthen mining transformation practice. |
| Feb 26 | Earnings results | Positive | +5.1% | Record 2025 revenues, strong EPS and guidance, plus sizable buybacks. |
| Feb 18 | Senior hire aviation | Positive | +1.5% | Addition of Scott Davidson to lead aviation-focused business transformations. |
Recent company news, including record earnings and senior hires, has generally seen share prices react positively, with only the new CFO announcement coinciding with a modest decline.
Over the past month, FTI Consulting has reported record 2025 revenues and EPS, alongside several senior leadership additions and a study on rising AI adoption in legal departments. The earnings release on Feb 26 coincided with a 5.08% gain, while strategic hires in aviation and mining also saw modest positive moves. Today’s cybersecurity-focused M&A study continues the theme of thought leadership and sector expertise, complementing prior analytics- and transformation-oriented initiatives.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement positions FTI Consulting as a thought leader on cybersecurity risk in M&A, highlighting that nearly 1 in 4 executives saw cyber incidents around deals and 42% reported deal value reductions. It complements recent record 2025 results and strategic hires, underscoring the firm’s focus on complex, high-value transactions. Investors may watch how such research translates into mandates for cyber due diligence and post-close advisory work as M&A volumes rebound.
Key Terms
ciso technical
m&a financial
cybersecurity technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Third Installment of CISO Redefined Series Highlights Correlation between Cyber Attacks and Transactions, an Emerging Risk for Dealmakers as M&A Volumes Rebound
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc.’s (NYSE: FCN) Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications practice today released the third installment of its “CISO Redefined” series, CISO Redefined III: Navigating Cybersecurity Risks in Transactions, which looks at the increasing correlation between cybersecurity incidents and corporate transactions.
According to the findings, nearly 1 in 4 executives has experienced a cyber incident during or shortly after a transaction, with nearly half of respondents (
“Threat actors are smart; they read the news and know companies tend to be vulnerable when they’re trying to close or right after when they’re integrating systems — and that’s when they try to break in,” said Meredith Griffanti, Global Head of the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications practice at FTI Consulting. “The incident ends up costing the acquirer big time, and most often, the target and acquirer haven’t even begun to think about how to integrate their security plans, let alone how they’ll work together to respond to a cyber crisis if it occurs right after a deal closes. That lack of coordination can have serious blowback on reputation.”
According to CISO Redefined II, which was released in 2024, the vast majority of CISOs feel their role is misunderstood by company leadership, and they struggle to communicate in a non-technical way that other executives can understand. This sentiment explains the results of the latest survey, which show that the CISO’s voice and opinions — and therefore cyber risk — are not being prioritized.
Going further,
Other key findings:
- One in 4 CISOs say their leaders push to close deals quickly over conducting thorough cybersecurity due diligence.
- Only
17% of CISOs said that collaboration between cybersecurity and corporate development teams significantly increased during the transaction period. By contrast,34% of general counsel felt collaboration significantly increased — showing a notable disconnect. - Only
23% of executives say they manage cybersecurity risks proactively post-close. This decline in vigilance creates a meaningful exposure point for the organization, which coincides with when attacks tend to occur.
“Deal teams need to account for cyber risk much the same way we think about leak risk. These unexpected disruptions can create confusion, shift value and slow negotiations,” said Pat Tucker, Americas Head of M&A and Activism at FTI Consulting. “It is essential that dealmakers recognize that transactions are increasingly becoming highly visible targets for threat actors. If deal value is going to be successfully realized, this risk needs to be mitigated more effectively.”
Survey Methodology
FTI Consulting surveyed 100 CISOs, 78 heads of M&A, and 100 general counsel across U.S.-based public and private organizations with at least 500 employees, representing a majority of companies with a market cap of
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 8,100 employees located in 32 countries and territories as of December 31, 2025. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consulting’s services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. The Company generated
FTI Consulting, Inc.
555 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
+1.202.312.9100
Investor Contact:
Mollie Hawkes
+1.617.747.1791
mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com
Media Contact:
Nick Emmons
+1.617.510.1676
nick.emmons@fticonsulting.com
FAQ
What did FTI Consulting (FCN) find about cyber incidents during M&A on March 17, 2026?
How often do cyber incidents delay or pause M&A deals according to FTI Consulting (FCN)?
What does the CISO Redefined III report say about CISO involvement in transactions for FCN investors?
How many executives proactively manage cybersecurity risks post-close, per FTI Consulting (FCN)?
What collaboration gaps did FTI Consulting (FCN) identify between cybersecurity and deal teams?
