Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Boardroom Priority for EU Startups

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-13

By Jan de Vries, E-commerce Consultant When I talk to a retailer in Italy, a fintech founder in London, or a bank executive in Germany, I keep hearing the same question in different accents: How do we innovate faster without putting our customers and our business at greater risk? It's a fair concern. Across Europe, companies are pouring money into new tech, embracing AI, and finding fresh ways to serve customers. But they're also dealing with shifting regulations, rising expectations, and threats that get more sophisticated by the day. The ambition is there. What's missing is the confidence to act. ### Cybersecurity Is No Longer an IT Problem For years, cybersecurity was something you dumped on the IT department. That view is outdated. A single breach can grind operations to a halt, wreck customer relationships, and erase trust you spent decades building. These days, cybersecurity isn't just discussed in server rooms—it's on the boardroom agenda. And the numbers back that up. Recent Mastercard research found that 93% of European organizations have experienced fraud or attempted cyberattacks in the past year. Nearly a third (32%) say those attempts are becoming more frequent. But the stats only tell part of the story. What sticks with me is the uncertainty behind them. Leaders know they need to act, but they're not sure where to start, which risks demand immediate attention, or whether their investments are actually making a difference. Seven in ten (69%) business leaders say measuring the success of cybersecurity investments is challenging. Many also struggle to integrate security with legacy systems and to manage AI-enabled attacks. ### Rethinking the Conversation We need to change how we talk about cybersecurity. The goal can't be to eliminate every risk—no organization can promise that. Instead, businesses need the confidence that comes from understanding their exposure, preparing for disruption, and knowing how to respond when something goes wrong. What's encouraging is that many organizations are already shifting their approach. One in three European business leaders say that as they increase their use of technology, they're broadening their cybersecurity priorities. That includes real-time monitoring and incident response, supplier risk management, and compliance with evolving AI regulation. These aren't just technical decisions—they're decisions about protecting a business's ability to operate, innovate, and keep customer trust. ### No Business Is an Island These decisions can't be made in isolation. No business operates alone anymore. Suppliers, technology providers, payment partners, and service providers all play a role in keeping businesses and their customers safe. A weakness in one part of that network can have consequences across the rest. That's why third-party risk management is becoming such a priority for business leaders. Many European leaders also recognize they don't have all the answers in-house. The best partners help businesses make sense of a changing landscape, spot emerging risks sooner, and respond with greater confidence. > "Resilience grows through collaboration." — That's a lesson we've learned at Mastercard. Our European Cyber Resilience Centre brings businesses together with governments, regulators, and law enforcement to share intelligence and strengthen collective defenses. We continue to invest in technologies and partnerships that help organizations understand cyber risk and respond to emerging threats. ### Leadership and Culture Matter Technology matters, but technology alone will never be enough. Resilience also depends on leadership, clear accountability, and a culture where security is part of everyday decision-making. Boards should be asking not only whether their organizations are protected, but how risk is measured, how quickly the business could recover, and what a serious incident would mean for customer trust. Cybersecurity isn't just a cost center—it's a business enabler. And in a digital economy, confidence is the ultimate currency.