Life after the deadline: key focus areas for ongoing cybersecurity compliance

Achieving ongoing cybersecurity compliance requires continuous monitoring, strong governance, evolving risk management, a security-focused culture and proactive regulatory engagement.

In brief:

• Continuous monitoring and regular reassessment of cybersecurity controls are essential for maintaining compliance and adapting to evolving threats.
• Fostering a security-focused culture and proactive engagement with regulatory updates ensure long-term resilience and compliance.

The 1 June 2025 deadline for compliance with the Joint Standard on Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience is an important milestone. However, it is not the finish line. For South African financial institutions, the real work begins after implementation. Long-term compliance and true cyber resilience require more than a once-off effort. They demand consistent governance, continuous monitoring, and a commitment to evolving alongside a shifting threat landscape.

Regulatory compliance is a living process that must be embedded in the institution’s operational DNA. Institutions that take a "set-and-forget" approach risk falling behind quickly as cyber threats increase in sophistication and frequency. The post-deadline period is where leadership, agility, and culture make the biggest difference.

Prioritising continuous monitoring

One of the cornerstones of the Joint Standard is continuous monitoring. Institutions must maintain active oversight of their cybersecurity controls, threat detection capabilities, and response plans. This means regularly testing defences, reviewing incident logs, assessing control effectiveness, and adjusting configurations as needed.

Cyber risk is not a quarterly concern. It is something that must be committed to daily. Continuous monitoring should be both technical and strategic—with dashboards for security teams and regular reporting to leadership, ensuring that cyber posture is always understood at the highest level.

Strengthening governance and accountability

Post-implementation, the governance structures put in place must now demonstrate effectiveness. That includes having clear accountability for cybersecurity at board and executive levels, as well as within operational teams. Cyber resilience cannot be siloed. Institutions should formalise governance processes that integrate cyber risk into overall enterprise risk management. Regular board updates, dedicated oversight committees, and escalation frameworks are all tools to maintain focus and momentum.

Aligning with evolving risks

Threats evolve, and so must response strategies. Financial institutions need to regularly assess how changes in the external threat environment or their internal operations affect their risk posture. This includes reassessing third-party dependencies, data flows, and system vulnerabilities. Post-deadline, institutions should consider routine cyber risk assessments, red teaming or simulated attacks, and scenario planning. These exercises not only highlight weaknesses but also strengthen team readiness.

Fostering a culture of security

Ongoing compliance is not just about systems and reports. It is also about the people. Cybersecurity awareness and behaviour across the workforce are critical to long-term resilience. Regular training, phishing simulations, and updates on emerging threats help maintain a security-first mindset. Importantly, institutions should empower employees to raise concerns, report anomalies, and contribute to a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility. This mindset helps bridge the gap between policy and practice.

Keeping pace with regulatory expectations

The Joint Standard is a dynamic framework, requiring implementation based on risk appetite which will be unique to each organisation. Regulators will continue to evolve their expectations, guided by industry feedback, observed trends, and emerging risks. Financial institutions must stay close to regulatory updates, participate in industry forums, and be proactive in adapting their compliance programs. This ongoing engagement with regulators also helps build credibility and trust—an often-overlooked benefit of strong compliance.

Ongoing cybersecurity compliance is not just a tick-box exercise. Rather, companies should see this as an opportunity. Institutions that treat post-deadline efforts as a chance to deepen resilience, strengthen governance, and embed a culture of accountability will stand out as leaders in the sector. By keeping cybersecurity firmly on the executive agenda, financial institutions can move from simply meeting regulatory requirements to shaping a more secure and resilient digital future for themselves and the broader ecosystem.

In summary

Achieving ongoing cybersecurity compliance after the 1 June 2025 deadline requires continuous monitoring, strong governance, evolving risk management, a security-focused culture and proactive regulatory engagement.