Governance, Risk & Compliance:
Thinking organisational security holistically.

Governance.

Governance describes the policies, responsibilities and decision-making processes through which corporate objectives are consistently pursued and resources are used efficiently. Clear governance creates transparency and reliability. It forms the basis for sustainable decisions.

Risk Management.

Effective risk management involves identifying, assessing and managing potential threats that could disrupt business operations. These include cyber-attacks, data loss and system outages. Structured processes enable risks to be recognised at an early stage, allowing appropriate measures to be taken before any damage occurs.

Compliance.

Compliance involves adhering to legal requirements, industry-specific standards and internal policies. An established compliance management system ensures that requirements are implemented in a legally compliant and transparent manner and that internal control mechanisms function reliably.

Security Assessments.

Regular reviews are essential for identifying vulnerabilities and further developing security measures. Security assessments provide a sound basis for improvements. An example is the implementation of NIS2 requirements, which cover both technical and organisational aspects.

Incident Management and Business Continuity Management.

Security incidents can never be completely ruled out. What matters is a fast and coordinated response. Incident management and business continuity management provide the conditions needed for organisations to remain capable of action even in critical situations. Preventive emergency management and escalation as well as recovery plans ensure the continuation of critical business processes.

Supply Chain Security.

Supply chains also represent a potential attack surface. Dependencies on partners and service providers must be identified, assessed and secured. A structured approach increases transparency, reduces risks and strengthens the overall resilience of the organisation.

Regulatory framework.

Today, organisations face a multitude of legal and regulatory requirements that significantly shape their security and compliance strategies. These regulations provide guidance and protection on the one hand, while at the same time presenting organisations with complex implementation challenges. Bechtle supports you in understanding, prioritising and integrating these requirements into a holistic security concept.

AI Act.

The AI Act is the first comprehensive EU regulation on artificial intelligence. It came into force in August 2024 and applies directly in all member states. It is based on a risk-based approach: the higher the risk posed by an AI system, the stricter the requirements.

Applications with unacceptable risk, such as social scoring, are prohibited. High-risk systems in critical infrastructures, healthcare, education or justice are subject to extensive obligations. Systems with limited risk, such as chatbots, must clearly indicate that they are AI. Systems with minimal risk are subject to minimal requirements derived from practice.

Implementation is challenging, as standards are still being developed and organisations face additional effort. At the same time, a balance must be struck between regulation and innovation. The AI Act is regarded internationally as a milestone and reference framework for AI regulation.

Data protection (,LOPDGDD, GDPR, AEPD).

Organic Law 3/2018, of 5 December, on the Protection of Personal Data and Guarantee of Digital Rights (LOPDGDD) constitutes, together with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in force since 2018, the unified framework for the processing of personal data in Spain. Its objective is to guarantee informational self-determination and protect fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of expression and the digital rights of citizens. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) is the body responsible for supervising compliance and imposing penalties in the event of infringement.

Companies face complex requirements, including obtaining consent in a legal and transparent manner, maintaining records of processing activities and carrying out data protection impact assessments. Small and medium-sized organisations in particular often lack the necessary resources and technical expertise. In addition, new technologies—such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud services—pose additional challenges in terms of compliance and information security.

NIS2.

The NIS2 Directive is the key European regulation on cyber security. It obliges organisations in essential and important sectors to significantly expand their security measures. NIS2 stipulates clear requirements for risk management, incident response, business continuity and supply chain security. Affected organisations must demonstrate technical and organisational measures and are subject to a reporting obligation for security incidents.