Cyber security continues to sit firmly on board agendas, but the M&A market is entering a more selective phase. Threat levels remain high, regulation is tightening and AI is reshaping both attack and defence. At the same time, capital is becoming more disciplined and buyers are clearer about what they want.

The sector’s fundamentals remain robust, driving growth for the cyber security ecosystem. End customer demand for services providers – ranging from consultancy, compliance and testing through to managed detection and response or identity and access management, as well as demand for differentiated software continues to drive organic growth.

Against this backdrop, the M&A landscape is continuing to evolve. Buyers are becoming more selective, focusing on assets with defensible specialisms, a clear capability uplift, strong margins and quality of earnings. Consolidation is increasingly being used to build integrated, resilient platforms capable of supporting the UK’s long‑term cyber maturity.

Recent transactions underline this shift. Acquirers are using M&A to build integrated, scalable cyber platforms, securing specialist capability, accreditations and talent, rather than simply adding volume.

The Cyber Security Insights: February 2026 report brings together market data, transaction analysis and recent UK case studies to provide a clear view of how these dynamics are playing out in practice.

For any enquiries or discussions, feel free to reach out to any member of the Cavendish team.