Mastering Cyber Compliance

How CISOs can help EU & UK businesses navigate a complex regulatory landscape 

Organizations in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) face an intricate web of regulatory frameworks designed to protect personal data, ensure operational resilience and hold companies accountable for data breaches.  

Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and best practice advice such as Cyber Essentials, European NIS 2 and the UK’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) create a challenge for businesses trying to achieve privacy, cybersecurity compliance while driving revenue growth. 

With such a diverse and evolving regulatory landscape, expert consultation is often essential—not just to ensure compliance but also to facilitate productive communication with regulatory bodies, as it is critical the businesses data processor and/or data controller policy language aligns with regulatory guidance.  

This is where an experienced Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) can step in, not only helping organizations implement the necessary compliance measures and policies but also ensuring that discussions with regulators remain constructive, non-adversarial, and focused on mutual benefit. 

No universal blueprint 

In the United States, it’s a common misconception that cybersecurity regulations are more uniform across the pond. We have a variety of different frameworks that serve different purposes and often overlap in complex ways.  

For example, GDPR standardizes data privacy across the EU and UK, but its implementation may vary from one country to another country. Enforcement can differ based on the maturity of the national data protection authorities. Similarly, NIS 2 targets EU critical infrastructure providers and their supply chains, yet the exact requirements may vary between EU member states. Germany and Switzerland, as an example have more strict data privacy requirements—more rigorous than what is required under the GDPR.  

For UK businesses, Cyber Essentials is often seen as a compliance bast practice, but it may not be suitable for every industry, particularly those with unique security needs or legacy systems that complicate implementation of security controls for compliance. Meanwhile, companies that operate in both the UK and EU must navigate regulatory expectations, particularly around personal data transfers—a topic that has become increasingly contentious since Brexit and SHREMS 2. 

With this level of complexity, both UK businesses and those in the Schengen Area need more than just a checklist for compliance; they need a strategic, adaptable plan with clear evidence of intent to be compliant. CISOs can play a critical role in this process by assessing how regulatory requirements apply to each business process and crafting compliance strategies that align with regulatory requirements and facilitate business growth. 

The power of multiple CISOs 

At Inversion6, we recognize cybersecurity challenges rarely exist in isolation. A discussion about GDPR compliance, for example, often expands into broader conversations about data governance, cloud security and third-party risk management. Compliance with regulations like NIS 2 or DORA may also require organizations to rethink their incident response plans or get serious about mitigating risks from their third-party vendor relationships.  

In this environment, having access to multiple CISOs with diverse areas of expertise is a major advantage.  

For example, I have extensive experience in threat intelligence and regulatory compliance. But I don’t work alone. In fact, I collaborate with a team of CISOs and seasoned cybersecurity professionals who provide specialized knowledge in different domains, from data protection to supply chain security.  

If one of our CISOs encounters a particularly nuanced compliance challenge, we can always draw on the expertise of our colleagues to develop the best solution. This collective approach ensures the businesses I consult receive well-rounded, strategic guidance tailored to their specific needs. 

Beyond compliance  

Regulatory compliance isn’t just about avoiding legal penalties. Companies that take a more proactive approach to compliance often see a variety of benefits including enhanced customer trust, improved risk management, streamlined security operations and deeper trust between business partners and customers 

Good CISOs can help businesses lean even further into this proactive approach, working to anticipate regulatory changes while preparing for audits in advance and advocating on behalf of their clients to avoid adversarial interactions with regulators and ensure conversations remain fair, transparent and solution focused. 

Taking the next step 

For businesses navigating the intricate web of EU and UK cybersecurity regulations, expert guidance is essential. Luckily, Inversion6’s Fractional CISO service offers a flexible, cost-effective solution. 

Our team of experienced CISOs works collaboratively to provide strategic cybersecurity leadership, helping our clients stay compliant, secure and resilient in an ever-changing threat landscape.  

Ready to strengthen your cybersecurity strategy? Learn more about our Fractional CISO service here.