In this edition of Technology M and A Insights, Jass Sarai, matthew Cross, Philip Shepherd and Rob Morgan consider what factors are driving deal activity, including increased focus on issues such as cyber security, big data and financial technology. We also consider how growing interest from cash rich corporates looking for strategic acquisitions will create more deal opportunities in 2012. Although the current volatile economic climate looks set to continue the sector is in a good position to remain buoyant. That said it continues to be a challenging deals environment and the winners will be those who focus on relationships within a deal, prepare well for market conditions and take a global perspective, both in terms of targets and strategic acquirers.

The continued increased use of the Internet and mobile connected devices, complexity of networks, as well as the sharing of sensitive data means cyber-security is now seen as business critical for corporates and governments. Within the rapidly evolving cyber-security landscape, both established players and new entrants continue to jockey for market position. This has seen landmark deals in 2011 and we expect this activity to continue throughout 2012 within a highly fragmented market. Jass Sarai, matthew Cross, Philip Shepherd and Rob Morgan discuss the increased need to address cyber-security and look at the impact this will have on M&A activity in the technology sector.

As the amount of data collected from internet connected devices continues to grow, the need for technology to turn this raw material into value-adding information is also increasing. Our technology experts discuss some of the significant 2011 transactions in this sector and look at what will continue to drive deal activity in 2012.