Mastercard has launched the first European edition of its multi-sector Cyber Defense Exercise (CDX), hosted at the company’s European Cyber Resilience Centre in Waterloo, Belgium.
The initiative brings together technical and strategic leaders from the finance and telecommunications sectors to simulate and combat real-world cyber threats in real time.
The hands-on exercise mirrors the growing sophistication of global cyber-attacks, involving red and blue teams that test each organisation’s ability to detect, contain, and recover from evolving threats such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, data theft, and supply chain compromise. Red teams are tasked with executing attacks, while blue teams respond collaboratively to mitigate and recover. Executive leaders simultaneously manage crisis response, legal and regulatory considerations, and communication strategies.
Participants in this year’s event include major organisations such as BT Group, Deutsche Bank, ING, Proximus, and Santander, alongside public-sector representatives and Information Sharing and Analysis Centres (ISACs). These groups work together through simulated attacks, testing response strategies and communication channels, including an innovative “cyber escape room” designed to reinforce teamwork under pressure.
Mastercard’s latest research shows the urgency of collaboration. One in four small business owners in Europe report having been targeted by scammers, while 72% of consumers say they are more concerned about cybersecurity threats today than they were two years ago. Despite this, trust in the private sector remains strong, with 71% of consumers placing more faith in banks for fraud prevention than in government bodies (58%).
The CDX event underscores Mastercard’s commitment to building scalable, cross-sector models for cyber resilience. Supported by technology leaders Dell Technologies, Fortinet, Intel, World Wide Technology (WWT), and Immersive Labs, the programme highlights how public-private partnerships can enhance security for critical infrastructure.
Mastercard chief security officer Michael Lashlee said, “Cyber threats don’t respect borders or sectors. Our priority is working together with partners across Europe to respond when seconds matter—sharing intelligence faster, making smarter decisions and safeguarding people and businesses. CDX is about deepening collaboration, strengthening trust, and building resilience for Europe to stay protected.”
BT Group cyber security operations and intelligence director Rich Eyre said, “Secure telecommunications are the backbone of our modern society. They enable seamless communication, foster innovation, and ensure the safety and security of our customers. At BT Group, we are committed to protecting these vital connections to keep our customers and society safe. By partnering with like-minded organisations, we can pool our expertise to combat threats more effectively, ensuring a safer future for everyone.”
Deutsche Bank chief security officer Brent Phillips said, “It’s critical that we remain vigilant against the many threats that exist to information security. By working together with peers and coordinating our responses, we can greatly enhance our ability to prevent and respond to potential cyber-attacks. Information security remains a moving target and exercises such as this help to ensure that we too keep moving.”
ING global CISO Debbie Janeczek said, “Cyber threats don’t respect borders, and neither should our response. At ING, we’re all about staying one step ahead. Therefore, cyber security is a vital part of our corporate strategy. Participating in joint incident response exercises with other leading European organisations strengthens our collective resilience, fosters trust, and ensures we’re prepared to act swiftly and collaboratively when it matters most.”
Proximus chief information security officer Fabrice Clément said, “At Proximus, we see cybersecurity as a societal responsibility. Our role as a trusted digital partner means protecting the digital infrastructure that people, businesses, and public services rely on every day. CDX is a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collective resilience, transcending borders and sectors, and to enhance our preparedness in the face of evolving threats.”
Banco Santander global chief information security officer for cybersecurity and fraud prevention Hazel Díez said: “As a global financial institution, anticipating cyber risks is essential to protecting our customers, markets and society at large. At Santander, we are committed to working with peers, strengthening our defences and responding swiftly to ensure resilience and trust remain at the core of what we do. CDX 2025 was a great opportunity to test and strengthen Europe’s cross-sector collaboration.”
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