Cracking the Vault: Why Hackers Target Private Equity Firm Portfolio Companies and How to Defend Against Modern Cyberattacks

Private equity (PE) firms excel at managing financial risks but often underestimate cyber risks. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, PE firms are prime targets. Threat actors target PE firms' vast sensitive data, including personal information, intellectual property, and confidential M&A data. This makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking large paydays.

Portfolio companies are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks since they are typically smaller firms with fewer cybersecurity resources, they lack a mature cyber defense strategy and can even represent a potential entry point for attackers.

In this new research from eSentire’s Threat Response Unit (TRU), we look at the most common cyberattack vectors observed impacting PE firms and portfolio companies from across our global customer base, including:

• Browser-based threats
• Business email compromises (BECs)
• Email-based attacks using Qakbot and Emotet
• Hands-on intrusions using tools like Cobalt Strike
• Ransomware deployment techniques

Download this report to learn more about the most concerning cyber threats impacting PE firms and recommendations from TRU on how your firm can strengthen your cyber defenses to standardize risk management across portfolio companies and prevent business disruption.