From Regulatory Compliance to Cyber Resilience – Turning Legal Requirements into Competitive Advantage

Cybersecurity has evolved into a strategic management task – no longer just a technical niche issue. The driving forces behind this development are far-reaching regulations such as the EU Directive NIS2 and the DORA Regulation, which have already begun fundamentally reshaping the legal framework for security and compliance, with key implementation deadlines in 2024-2025. 

For IT security consultancies, this marks a turning point: instead of isolated analyses, clients today expect continuous, strategic guidance that not only meets regulatory requirements but uses them as a lever for competitive advantage. 

For companies, this means they gain not only compliance assurance, but also shorter audit cycles, more resilient supply chains, improved risk management, and greater acceptance among investors and customers. 

Regulation as a Driver of Strategic Security 

With NIS2, the EU is significantly expanding the scope of IT security requirements. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 companies in Germany – including many mid-sized businesses – are now obligated to implement stricter security measures.. Among other things, the directive requires: 

• an information security management system (ISMS), commonly implemented using frameworks such as ISO 27001 or BSI IT-Grundschutz  
• mandatory risk analyses, security concepts, and business continuity plans 
• clearly defined responsibilities at the executive-management level, including personal liability for non-compliance 

DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), in turn, primarily targets the financial sector but also applies to their ICT third-party service providers, who may be subject to direct regulatory oversight. Its requirements encompass comprehensive ICT risk management, advanced resilience testing (including threat-led penetration testing), third-party risk management, and strict incident reporting obligations, including initial notifications within 24-72 hours of detection – requiring organizations to have robust incident detection and response capabilities in place. 

What both regulatory frameworks have in common is this: IT risk management becomes a core management responsibility. For consulting firms, this creates an opportunity not only to support clients in meeting compliance obligations, but also to grow into the role of a strategic sparring partner and trusted advisor. 

Looking ahead, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), effective from 2027, will extend security requirements to manufacturers of products with digital elements – from IoT devices to software – creating additional demand for compliance consulting across hardware and software supply chains. 

The Business Case for Compliance 

While implementation costs vary significantly by company size and maturity (typically ranging from €50,000 for smaller firms to several million for large financial institutions), the cost of non-compliance is far higher: penalties under NIS2 can reach €10 million or 2% of annual global turnover, and a single significant security incident can cost multiples of that amount in remediation, reputational damage, and business disruption. 

From Compliance Obligations to Competitive Advantage 

Those who treat compliance merely as a “checklist of duties” are missing out on significant potential. Consultancies that understand regulatory requirements as a strategic instrument can help their clients secure several key advantages: 

• Market access – many industries, such as energy, healthcare, and financial services, now require certified security (e.g., ISO 27001, TISAX, or sector-specific standards) as a prerequisite for contracts and procurement processes. 
• Investor confidence – robust security architectures can positively influence company valuations, ESG ratings, and due diligence processes in M&A transactions 
• Reputation protection – proactive security management reduces the likelihood and impact of security incidents, helping to protect brand reputation and customer trust. 

Market Pressure and Differentiation 

The demand for external expertise is further intensified by the shortage of skilled professionals. According to Bitkom (2024), there were approximately 149,000 unfilled IT positions in Germany – with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 specifically in cybersecurity. For medium-sized companies, this means that even when budgets are available, the specialists needed to build and operate complex security architectures are often lacking. 

This creates opportunities for consultancies – but also challenges: 

• Large firms (e.g., Big Four, Accenture, Capgemini) focus on end-to-end services covering consulting, implementation, and operations – often as Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) with 24/7 Security Operations Centers. 
• Specialized mid-sized consultancies differentiate through modular, tailored offerings such as rapid gap analyses, industry-specific training programs, threat intelligence services, or turnkey incident response plans. 

A key differentiating factor is industry depth: those who understand the regulatory specifics of a sector – for example, MDR/FDA regulations in medical technology, IT Security Act 2.0 for energy providers, or GxP requirements in pharmaceuticals – gain a clear competitive edge.  

Compliance as an Integral Part of the Supply Chain 

An increasing number of market participants are demanding proof of security throughout the entire supply chain. This applies to: 

• Clients in regulated industries, who increasingly conduct supplier audits and require certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2) as contractual prerequisites 
• Insurers, who make cyber insurance policies contingent on demonstrable resilience measures such as multi-factor authentication, regular backups, and incident response plans – often requiring annual attestations 
• Investors, who integrate cybersecurity assessments into ESG ratings and due diligence processes, particularly under the Governance pillar 

Consultancies that address this proactively deliver far more than risk mitigation. They create strategic value by: 

• establishing and maintaining continuous audit readiness 
• designing processes so that compliance requirements are automatically met (“compliance by design”) 
• embedding a security culture across the organization – from executive leadership to operational teams  

Strategic Recommendations for Consultancies 

• Position early – Act now – many companies are already behind schedule on NIS2 and DORA implementation. Position yourself as an expert who can accelerate compliance efforts and help clients avoid penalties. 
• Develop an industry focus – in-depth regulatory expertise increases entry barriers for competitors. 
• Translate compliance into innovation – for example, by implementing GRC platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, RSA Archer), automating control testing, or integrating compliance workflows into existing ERP/ITSM systems. 
• Build strategic partnerships – collaborate with technology providers (e.g., SIEM vendors, vulnerability management platforms, cloud security providers) to deliver comprehensive, operationally proven solutions. 
• Cultivate a security culture – implement regular security awareness training, conduct phishing simulations, and embed security thinking into daily operations – making it part of “how we work” rather than a separate compliance exercise.
   

Turning Compliance into a Competitive Advantage 

Regulation is compelling companies to approach cybersecurity in a structured, holistic, and sustainable way. Those who act now can transform compliance into a genuine competitive advantage. 

For IT consultancies, this represents a significant opportunity: those who position themselves as strategic advisors – not just compliance executors – and help clients build resilient, future-proof security architectures will become trusted partners in an increasingly complex digital landscape. 

Beyond Europe 

While this article focuses on EU regulations, similar trends are visible globally: the US SEC now requires public companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents within four days, the UK has implemented its own NIS regulations post-Brexit, and international standards such as ISO 42001 for AI governance are emerging. Consultancies with cross-border expertise can serve multinational clients more effectively.