Inspired by the Security Navigator 2025 Report by Orange Cyberdefense LINK
“Who will stop the rain?” — the timeless song lyric takes on a modern meaning as today’s business leaders face a deluge of digital threats, supply chain interdependencies, and regulatory pressure. But instead of seeking shelter, some are learning to surf the wave of compliance toward growth and resilience.
A Wake-Up Call: The Global Outage of July 19, 2024
On a sunny summer day, the world went dark. A faulty software update from CrowdStrike — a trusted cybersecurity partner to thousands — caused a massive outage that affected millions of devices globally. Though not a malicious attack, the incident revealed just how fragile our interconnected digital world has become. One misstep by a key provider triggered widespread operational paralysis.
This wasn’t a cyberattack, but the disruption mirrored what a cyberattack could look like. The lesson? Every digital component, no matter how small, matters. Compliance is no longer about paperwork; it’s about resilience in a networked world.
Compliance Is the New Competitive Advantage
1. Secure Supply Chains Are the Foundation of Resilience 2.0
Modern organizations rely heavily on SMEs, third-party vendors, and outsourced ICT providers. These smaller entities often lack mature cybersecurity programs, becoming soft targets for cyber extortion and espionage. A 53% rise in ransomware attacks against SMEs in 2024 underlines the urgency.
By enforcing NIS2-aligned supply chain policies and requiring partners to implement similar risk-based approaches, businesses can build secure ecosystems. Security through compliance becomes not just a mandate — but a value proposition.
2. Multilayered Software = Multiplied Risk
Corporate IT stacks are increasingly complex, involving layered software and service providers. As seen in the CrowdStrike incident, a single update can paralyze thousands. Organizations must:
- Conduct detailed audits of their digital ecosystems
- Require shared incident response plans with vendors
- Encourage cyber maturity in all supply chain tiers
3. Regulatory Frameworks as Strategic Assets
Laws like NIS2, DORA, and the Cyber Resilience Act are no longer compliance hurdles. They’re roadmaps to digital trust. These frameworks provide structured guidance for:
- Implementing security-by-design
- Enforcing secure software development practices
- Ensuring continuous improvement
Businesses that anticipate and embrace these requirements position themselves ahead of enforcement deadlines, gaining customer confidence and operational continuity.
Risk-Based Thinking: The New Mindset for Leaders
As Olivier Bonnet de Paillerets of Orange Cyberdefense puts it: “Risk anticipation and a risk-based approach are now vital to ensure long-term value creation.”
Generative AI: A Double-Edged Sword
While GenAI improves threat detection and response, it also increases attack surfaces and enables social engineering. Organizations must:
- Conduct in-depth risk assessments before adoption
- Apply strict governance to AI-enabled tools
Cyber Extortion: A Growing, Evolving Threat
With over 4,200 organizations targeted by Cy-X (cyber extortion) in 2024, attackers are becoming more aggressive, exposing personal identities and returning to previous victims repeatedly. Compliance with NIS2 helps organizations implement:
- Strong incident response plans
- Data classification and encryption policies
- Systematic monitoring and recovery strategies
Beyond Ransomware: A Broad Threat Landscape
Post-quantum threats, disinformation, and backdoor infiltrations show that cyber risk is multi-dimensional. Total resilience means diversifying defense strategies and staying alert on all fronts.
Optimizing Cybersecurity ROI
Most companies use only a fraction of their cybersecurity tools. Compliance forces organizations to focus:
- Are we using what we have effectively?
- Can we reduce tech bloat while improving outcomes?
Conclusion: Riding the Wave to Success
The regulatory wave isn’t receding. But rather than resisting it, forward-thinking companies are using compliance as a surfboard to ride toward total resilience.
NIS2 is not just another directive. It’s an opportunity to transform how businesses see cybersecurity: not as a cost center, but as a foundation for trust, growth, and long-term success.
Do you know the song ‘Who will stop the rain?’ We moved all to the cloud and have concerns… Maybe we don’t need to. Maybe it’s time we learn to thrive in the storm. DANNY ZEEGERS
