By: Chor-Ching Fan
Doing business in the European market means complying with evolving EU cybersecurity compliance, critical infrastructure security and AI regulations. Many organizations must adhere to multiple frameworks simultaneously, making an integrated approach an essential requirement for success. This blog provides an overview of four key compliance standards—C5, DORA, EU AI Act, and NIS 2—and explores the challenges of complying with multiple compliance frameworks.
C5: Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria Catalogue
The Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria Catalogue (C5), introduced by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), establishes a structured approach to evaluating cloud security. It focuses on governance, risk management, and operational security, requiring cloud providers to ensure transparency regarding service descriptions, data locations, and applicable jurisdictions.
Compliance with C5 means organizations must document their security posture comprehensively, covering topics such as data sovereignty, customer obligations, and third-party risk management. Cloud providers serving German and EU markets often use C5 as a benchmark to assure customers of their security and compliance posture. Since C5 aligns with ISO/IEC 27001, AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria (TSC), and the Cloud Security Alliance’s Cloud Controls Matrix (CSA CCM), many organizations can integrate it into their existing compliance programs with minimal disruption.
Effective Date: C5 was introduced in 2016 and is currently in effect.
DORA: Digital Operational Resilience Act
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is designed to protect financial institutions and their service providers from cyber threats and digital disruptions. Developed by the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, ESMA), DORA mandates stringent ICT risk management practices, including operational resilience testing and third-party risk oversight.
Financial entities—including banks, fintech companies, cloud service providers, and crypto-asset firms—must ensure that they can detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents. This means conducting regular cyber resilience tests, maintaining secure third-party relationships, and reporting cybersecurity incidents promptly. Organizations that rely on cloud computing for financial services must assess their providers’ compliance with DORA, leading to greater scrutiny of cloud security and vendor risk management.
Effective Date: DORA became applicable on January 17, 2025.
EU AI Act: Regulating Artificial Intelligence in the EU
Enacted in August 2024, the EU AI Act establishes a risk-based framework to regulate artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI applications align with ethical and legal standards. It categorizes AI systems into different risk levels, with high-risk AI applications—such as those used in critical infrastructure, law enforcement, or employment screening—facing stringent compliance requirements.
For organizations, this means integrating transparency, accountability, and fairness into their AI development processes. Companies deploying AI models in the EU must perform risk assessments, document AI decision-making processes, and implement governance structures to manage AI-related risks. Failure to comply can result in significant fines, making proactive compliance essential for businesses using AI-driven analytics, automation, or customer interactions.
Effective Date: The EU AI Act was enacted in August 2024; specific compliance deadlines may vary and should be confirmed based on the latest legislative updates.
NIS 2: Strengthening Cybersecurity for Critical Sectors
The NIS 2 Directive expands cybersecurity requirements across 18 critical sectors, including energy, transport, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and financial services. It imposes stringent cybersecurity risk management and incident reporting requirements, significantly impacting both large enterprises and medium-sized organizations operating in essential industries.
Compliance with NIS 2 requires organizations to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks by implementing proactive risk management, conducting frequent security audits, and maintaining detailed incident response plans. Additionally, the directive increases regulatory oversight and introduces stricter penalties for non-compliance. Organizations operating within the EU must now align their cybersecurity practices with these enhanced expectations to avoid regulatory action and protect against evolving cyber threats.
Effective Date: The NIS 2 Directive became enforceable on October 18, 2024.
How Rizkly Simplifies Multi-Framework Compliance Efforts
Achieving compliance with multiple EU regulations can be complex and resource-intensive. Rizkly’s FedRAMP High-Authorized compliance automation software provides organizations with a streamlined approach by:
- Centralizing compliance management via core requirements that maps across multiple frameworks
- Automating documentation and reporting to reduce manual effort
- Leveraging mapped security controls across C5, KRITIS, NIS 2, DORA, and the EU AI Act compliance efforts
- Providing flexibility to define customized compliance approaches that align with unique business needs
- Ensuring scalability to accommodate evolving compliance requirements without duplication of effort
For businesses navigating multiple compliance mandates, Rizkly compliance automation platform offers support across all cybersecurity and privacy frameworks. Whether addressing today’s requirements or preparing for future regulatory changes, Rizkly enables organizations to streamline compliance, reduce costs, and maintain regulatory assurance.
