Meeting the NIS2 Directive requirements can seem like a big challenge for any organization. This EU law sets high standards for cybersecurity, demanding a lot of measures to keep your network and systems safe. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
In this blog, we’ll break down what exactly the NIS2 Directive is, the regulation’s key requirements, and the importance of these proactive cybersecurity measures. We’ll cover everything from risk assessments and encryption to employee training and securing your vendors. Read on to see how you can achieve compliance with the NIS2 Directive without the stress.
What is the NIS2 Directive?
The European Commission recently adopted a revised directive called NIS2 (Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union). It updates and replaces the previous NIS Directive from 2016. The NIS2 Directive aims to strengthen cybersecurity requirements and build more resilient critical entities across multiple sectors vital to the economy and society.
NIS2 significantly expands the scope and applicability of the original NIS Directive. It now covers more sectors deemed as essential or important entities, including the public administration sector. The directive also establishes cybersecurity rules for entities operating within these sectors to manage cyber risks better.
Some key points about the NIS2 Directive:
- It creates a system of best practices and binding cybersecurity requirements for in-scope entities.
- It requires essential and important entities to take cybersecurity measures and report incidents.
- It promotes a culture of risk management and accountability for cybersecurity.
- It harmonizes cybersecurity practices across EU member states.
- It enables closer cooperation between authorities in monitoring and responding to cyber threats.
Who Needs to Comply?
NIS2 applies to a broader range of entities categorized under “essential services” and “important services”. Entities providing essential services are those whose disruption would have significant impacts on society and the economy like energy, transport, banking, and others. Important services are those which, while not as critical as essential services, still play a vital role in the economy and society like postal and courier services, manufacturing, waste management, and others.
| Essential Services | Important Services |
| Energy Transport Banking | Postal and courier services Manufacturing Waste management |
Key Compliance Requirements for the NIS2 Directive
If your organization falls within the scope of NIS2 as an essential or important entity, you’ll need to meet several baseline security measures to address specific forms of likely cyberthreats. These include:
Risk Assessments
Organizations must regularly conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify and evaluate the potential threats and vulnerabilities to their information systems. This includes assessing both internal and external risks and considering factors such as technological changes and emerging threats.
Based on the risk assessments, organizations must develop and implement robust security policies tailored to mitigate identified risks. These policies should cover all aspects of information security, including access control, data protection, and incident response.
Policies and Procedures for the Use of Cryptography and Encryption
Organizations must establish clear policies for the use of cryptographic techniques to protect sensitive information. This includes guidelines on when and how to use encryption to safeguard data both at rest and in transit.
The directive emphasizes the need for robust encryption protocols to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data. Organizations should use industry-standard encryption methods and regularly update them to counteract evolving cyber threats.
Security in Procurement, Development, and Operation of Systems
When procuring new systems or software, organizations must ensure that security considerations are integrated into the procurement process. This involves evaluating the security features of products and selecting vendors with strong security practices.
Organizations must also adopt secure development practices, including secure coding standards, regular code reviews, and vulnerability testing. This ensures that systems are built with security in mind from the ground up.
Security policies must then extend to the operational phase, encompassing ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and patch management to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Security Procedures for Employees with Access to Sensitive Data
Organizations must establish stringent access control policies to regulate who can access sensitive or critical data. This includes implementing role-based access controls and regularly reviewing access permissions.
Multi-Factor Authentication and Encrypted Communication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is essential for securing access to critical systems and data. Organizations should implement MFA solutions to enhance the security of user authentication processes.
Organizations must also use encrypted communication methods, including voice, video, and text encryption, to protect sensitive information from interception.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Security Measures
Organizations must periodically evaluate the effectiveness of their security measures. This involves conducting regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing.
Based on evaluation results, organizations should continuously improve their security posture by addressing identified weaknesses and adapting to new threats.
Plan for Handling Security Incidents
Organizations need a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines procedures for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents. The plan should include roles and responsibilities, communication strategies, and steps for containment and remediation.
Prompt reporting of incidents to relevant authorities and stakeholders is crucial for minimizing damage and coordinating a response.
Cybersecurity Training and Basic Computer Hygiene
Regular cybersecurity training for all employees is essential to raise awareness and foster a security-conscious culture. Training should cover topics such as phishing, password management, and recognizing suspicious activities.
Basic computer hygiene practices, such as regular software updates, strong password policies, and safe browsing habits, must be promoted and enforced.
Business Continuity and IT System Access During and After Incidents
Organizations must have a robust business continuity plan that ensures critical business operations can continue during and after a security incident. This includes identifying critical functions, establishing recovery objectives, and planning for alternative operations.
Regular backups of critical data are essential to ensure data availability and integrity. Backups should be securely stored and regularly tested for effectiveness.
Security of Vendor Relationships
Organizations must assess the security practices of their vendors and choose security measures that address specific vulnerabilities in the supply chain. This includes conducting due diligence, requiring compliance with security standards, and regularly monitoring vendor security performance. An overarching assessment of the security levels of all vendors is necessary to ensure that the supply chain as a whole does not introduce significant risks to the organization.
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The Importance of Proactive Cybersecurity Measures
While many organizations view regulatory compliance as a burden, the NIS2 Directive represents an immense opportunity to strengthen your cyber resilience proactively. By adopting a proactive cybersecurity posture, you can position your organization to avoid the risks of disruptive cyber incidents that could severely impact service continuity.
Cyber attacks continue escalating in sophistication and impact. For critical entities, a successful breach could disrupt critical national infrastructure or services people rely on daily. Complying with NIS2 is not just about checking boxes – it’s about safeguarding your operations from cyber threats.
Beyond just complying with NIS2, proactive cybersecurity offers immense business value:
- Operational resilience: Effective cybersecurity protects service reliability and business continuity.
- Customer trust: Strong security posture safeguards customer data and privacy.
- Competitive advantage: Robust cyber resilience creates differentiation in the market.
- Cost optimization: Preventing breaches avoids expensive incident response and recovery costs.
Modern cyber threats can come from diverse actors with sophisticated capabilities. Merely reacting to security incidents is inadequate – you need controls and processes that continuously reduce attack surfaces and mitigate risks.
NIS2 Made Easy with Scytale
You don’t want to get caught by surprise when the NIS2 Directive takes effect in October 2024. Let Scytale streamline your risk assessments, integrate top-notch encryption protocols, and ensure security policies are woven into every stage of your system’s lifecycle – from procurement to operation. With us, NIS2 becomes straightforward, and regular security evaluations a breeze.
For more guidance on how best to get (and stay) compliant with the NIS2 Directive, chat with one of our experts here.
