THE EXECUTIVE VIEW
Three takeaways
Understand how geopolitical tensions shape cyber exposure and the consequences for essential services, sensitive data and public trust.
Prioritise technical resilience, from access controls and patching to backups, monitoring and incident response.
Sustain improvement through a phased organisational strategy, accountable leadership, clear policies and assurance.
October 2025 edition
Building resilience for NGOs, SMEs and public sector organisations.
This white paper examines the connections between geopolitical instability and cyber risk in Europe, and the implications for organisations delivering humanitarian, commercial and public services. It considers the war in Ukraine, US–China rivalry and Middle East conflict before turning to the practical steps organisations can take to strengthen resilience.
From threat context to practical resilience
The paper retains the full analysis of the supplied manuscript, including sector impacts, technical controls and the short-, medium- and long-term organisational response. Its recommendations are organised around three connected areas.
Technical resilience
Foundational safeguards covering authentication, software updates, data backups, phishing protection, secure configuration, monitoring, website availability, encryption and incident response.
Organisational strategy
A phased approach to urgent risk reduction, capability building, supplier assurance, staff awareness, scenario planning and sustained adaptation.
Governance and policy
Leadership oversight, clear responsibilities, proportionate policies, regulatory awareness, stakeholder coordination and a continuing cycle of assessment, improvement, monitoring and reporting.
About this publication
Issue: October 2025. The date shown reflects the supplied manuscript, dated 15 October 2025. This branded PDF edition was added to the website in October 2026. The publication treatment retains the original analysis, examples and source references, with presentation and UK spelling updates; it is not a new research or current-status review.
The 23-page PDF includes a contents page, the complete paper, leadership takeaways and the source references retained from the manuscript.
General information and risk commentary, not legal advice. Implementation and regulatory applicability require an organisation-specific assessment.
October 2025 perspective. Sources reflect information available at the issue date.