Introduction

NIS2 seeks to address the increasing number of cyber threats and incidents by establishing a high common level of security for networks and information systems across the EU. It is an update to the European Union’s Directive on security of network and information systems, aiming to bolster the level of cybersecurity across the EU by expanding the scope of its predecessor, NIS1, to include a wider range of sectors and digital services.

What is the NIS2 Directive?

The NIS2 Directive is an updated European Union regulation aimed at strengthening cybersecurity across all member states. It expands the scope of the original NIS Directive by requiring more sectors, like healthcare and energy, to improve their cyber defenses. NIS2 also sets stricter requirements for incident response, risk management, and reporting obligations, ensuring organizations are better prepared to handle cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure.

Who is affected by NIS2?

NIS2 applies to a broader array of sectors compared to the original directive, impacting medium and large organizations across essential and important sectors such as:

  • Essential Services: Energy, transport, banking, digital infrastructure, and healthcare.
  • Important Services: Postal and courier services, waste management, manufacture and supply of water, and food production.
  • Digital Services: Including cloud computing services and online marketplaces.

This wider scope ensures that more entities are maintaining robust cybersecurity practices.

Key Components and Legal Requirements of NIS2

The NIS2 directive outlines comprehensive requirements aimed at strengthening cybersecurity across various sectors:

  • Risk Management: Development of concepts for risk analysis, assessment and proper management measures.
  • Incident Handling: Processes for managing and mitigating cybersecurity incidents effectively.
  • Business Continuity Management: Includes backup handling, recovery from disruptions, and comprehensive crisis management.
  • Supply Chain Security: Enhancing the security aspects of relationships and dependencies between a business and their direct suppliers and service providers.
  • Access Control and Asset Management: Security measures that include trainings, cryptography, need-to-know, and segregation of duties principles.

NIS2 Key Components

These legal requirements are designed to ensure that entities not only comply with the highest security standards but also maintain a proactive posture against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Summary

The NIS2 Directive strengthens cybersecurity across the EU by expanding its scope and enforcing stricter requirements for more sectors. Key elements like risk management, incident response, business continuity, and supply chain security ensure organizations enhance their defenses and maintain compliance. Leveraging tools like ADOGRC can streamline the implementation of these measures, providing centralized oversight and automation for risk management and incident handling. By meeting these standards with the support of ADOGRC, entities can better protect critical infrastructure and remain resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Explore the success factors for the successful implementation of NIS-2 and DORA with ADOGRC

Discover your guide to current regulations and standards to ensure the resilience of your organization

Get the industry proven Compliance tool.

Get the industry proven Compliance tool.

Already got our weekly updates?