This episode explores the evolving landscape of cybersecurity legislation in the EU and the UK, examining key initiatives aimed at fortifying digital defences against an increasingly sophisticated threat environment.

The EU's Cyber Resilience Act, now in force, establishes mandatory cybersecurity standards for all products with digital elements sold in the EU market. The act aims to ensure that manufacturers prioritise cybersecurity throughout a product's lifecycle, from design and development to maintenance, and requires products to meet specific cybersecurity requirements before receiving the CE marking.

Complementing the Cyber Resilience Act, the EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) focuses on enhancing the cybersecurity posture of financial entities and their critical ICT third-party service providers. This regulation introduces stringent requirements for ICT risk management, incident reporting, operational resilience testing, and the oversight of third-party risks. DORA aims to ensure the financial sector's ability to withstand and recover from ICT disruptions, safeguarding the stability of the EU's financial system.

Meanwhile, the UK government is preparing to introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill in 2025. This bill seeks to bolster the UK's cyber defences by strengthening existing regulations and expanding their reach to cover more digital services and supply chains. The bill also emphasises the need for increased incident reporting to enhance government understanding of cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Felicity Oswald, CEO of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), highlights the growing threat posed by hostile state actors, particularly China, in her keynote speech at CYBERUK 2024. Oswald emphasises the need for proactive cybersecurity measures, urging businesses and organidations to prioritise security from the outset rather than treating it as an afterthought. She also stresses the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and international allies in effectively defending against cyber threats.

Both the EU's legislative initiatives and the UK's upcoming bill, alongside the strategic insights shared by the NCSC, underscore the growing importance of robust cybersecurity measures in today's interconnected world. While the EU's approach emphasises harmonised standards and comprehensive risk management frameworks, the UK's strategy focuses on strengthening national defences and fostering collaborative partnerships. This episode provides a deep dive into these key developments, analysing their implications for individuals, businesses, and governments navigating the complex challenges of the digital age.

Business Leaders Cyber Briefing is produced by Cool Waters Cyber, a UK based cyber security firm who have been protecting businesses across 3 continents since 1999.  We are an NCSC Assured Service Provider and Cyber Advisor. To learn more: www.cool-waters.co.uk