Cybersecurity is undergoing a fundamental transformation. What was once a patchwork of isolated defenses is now evolving into a cohesive, enterprise-wide strategy. This shift is driven by the growing complexity of digital ecosystems and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats that exploit organizational blind spots.
Why the Old Model No Longer Works
Modern attackers exploit the very tools organizations use to operate, so-called “living off the land” attacks. These methods leverage legitimate software and network utilities to infiltrate systems undetected, making traditional perimeter defenses obsolete. Many of these attacks are state-sponsored, blurring the lines between corporate and national security. The ripple effects of ransomware attacks on suppliers have shown how a single breach can disrupt entire sectors, from healthcare to finance to manufacturing.
Between January 2024 and April 2025, Europe saw a surge in cyber incidents, with the technology sector being the most targeted, followed by public and financial institutions. This wave of attacks has prompted a reevaluation of cybersecurity strategies across the continent.
The EU’s Response: NIS 2 and the Cyber Resilience Act
Recognizing the systemic nature of these threats, the European Union has introduced two landmark regulatory frameworks: the NIS 2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Together, they aim to foster a unified, resilient cybersecurity posture across member states.
NIS 2 Directive: Operational Resilience for Critical Infrastructure
The NIS 2 Directive, which updates the original 2016 legislation, expands its scope to 18 sectors, including energy, health, finance, and public administration. It mandates:
- Risk-based governance aligned with ISO 27001/NIST CSF
- Incident reporting within strict timelines (24h early warning, 72h detailed report, 1-month final report)
- Senior management accountability
- Penalties up to €10M or 2% of global turnover for essential entities
This directive emphasizes organizational controls, continuous improvement, and coordinated EU-wide enforcement through national cybersecurity authorities and ENISA.
Cyber Resilience Act: Secure Products by Design
While NIS 2 focuses on operational security, the CRA targets the product lifecycle. It applies to all manufacturers and vendors of digital products in the EU market, including consumer and industrial IoT devices. Key requirements include:
- Secure defaults, encryption, access control, and audit logging
- Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and coordinated vulnerability disclosure
- Lifecycle management with secure updates and vulnerability remediation
- Reporting obligations to ENISA within 24h of exploit detection
Penalties under the CRA can reach €15M or 2.5% of global turnover, with tiered enforcement based on severity.
Toward a Unified Cybersecurity Strategy
The shift from isolated protocols to integrated strategies is not just regulatory, it’s existential. Organizations must now:
- Break down silos between IT, product development, and compliance teams
- Invest in detection and response systems that span the entire digital ecosystem
- Treat cybersecurity as a board-level priority, not just a technical concern
- Collaborate across borders and sectors, recognizing the shared nature of cyber risk
The NIS 2 and CRA frameworks are more than compliance checklists, they’re blueprints for resilience in an era where digital threats are pervasive and persistent.
How Mastercard Supports the Shift Toward Integrated Cybersecurity and Regulatory Compliance
As organizations across Europe adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape, Mastercard is ready to support their journey toward compliance with the NIS 2 Directive and Cyber Resilience Act. Recognizing that regulatory alignment is not just a checkbox exercise but a strategic transformation, Mastercard has developed a structured methodology to guide organizations through every phase of this process.
The journey begins with a regulatory impact assessment, led by Mastercard’s Strategy & Transformation consultants. This phase helps organizations determine whether they fall under the “essential” or “important” categories of NIS 2, or whether their digital products are classified as “critical” under CRA. Understanding these classifications is crucial, as they dictate the scope and depth of compliance obligations.
Next, Mastercard conducts a comprehensive risk assessment and gap analysis, evaluating both technical and governance controls. This includes areas such as network security, access control, supply chain resilience, and business continuity planning. Mastercard Cyber Quant, plays a pivotal role here by automating risk evaluation, quantifying potential financial losses, and delivering tailored recommendations aligned with regulatory frameworks.
Once gaps are identified, Mastercard helps organizations build a remediation roadmap. This plan outlines prioritized actions, resource allocation, and timelines for achieving full compliance. Throughout implementation, Mastercard supports continuous monitoring through KPIs, KRIs, and internal audit schedules, ensuring that cybersecurity improvements are both effective and sustainable.
To validate the effectiveness of new controls, Mastercard offers Cyber Front, a Breach and Attack Simulation tool that tests defenses against real-world threats. This evidence-based approach helps organizations move beyond assumptions and gain confidence in their cybersecurity posture.
Ready to Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience?
Download our latest thought leadership paper to explore how our methodology, tools, and expertise can help your organization navigate the complexities of NIS 2 and CRA compliance while building a more resilient future.
https://www.riskrecon.com/report-from-compliance-to-cyber-resilience
