The NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Systems Directive 2) is the European Union’s latest cybersecurity regulation, covering medium and large organizations operating in key sectors across EU member states. Its primary goal is to enhance cybersecurity levels within these organizations, ensuring the continuity of critical infrastructure and services across the EU.
Sectors Covered by NIS2
The directive applies to medium and large organizations in the following sectors:
- Energy: Electricity, oil, gas, heating, and cooling
- Transport: Air, rail, water, and road transport infrastructure
- Banking & Finance: Credit institutions, investment firms, and insurance companies
- Healthcare: Healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers
- Digital Infrastructure: Internet service providers, cloud computing services, and data centers
- Public Administration: Central and local government authorities
- Digital Services: Online marketplaces, search engines, and social media platforms
- Waste Management: Waste collection, processing, and disposal facilities
- Water: Water supply and treatment facilities
- Food Production, Processing & Distribution: Food manufacturers, processors, and distributors
- Manufacturing: Producers of critical products
- Chemicals: Chemical manufacturers and distributors
- Postal & Courier Services: Postal and courier companies
Who Needs to Comply?
Organizations that fall within these sectors and are established in EU member states must comply with NIS2 regulations. Small and micro-enterprises are generally excluded; however, member states may extend the directive’s scope through national legislation.
For SMEs, various ISO standards provide structured approaches to improving information security, such as:
- ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System – ISMS): Helps organizations enhance their cybersecurity practices. Even if full compliance isn’t required, implementing its core principles is beneficial.
- ISO 27701 (Privacy Information Management System – PIMS): Supports secure processing of customer and employee data, aligning with data protection regulations.
- ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management System – BCMS): Ensures organizations are prepared for unexpected disruptions, maintaining business operations.
Key Requirements Under NIS2
The directive mandates several key obligations, including:
- Cybersecurity Risk Management: Organizations must identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks.
- Incident Reporting: Significant cybersecurity incidents must be reported to the relevant authorities.
- Security Measures: Organizations must implement both technical and organizational measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks.
- Cybersecurity Training: Employees must receive cybersecurity awareness and training.
NIS2 represents a crucial step toward strengthening cybersecurity across the EU. Medium and large organizations in the covered sectors are required to comply with the directive to enhance their cybersecurity resilience and ensure the continuity of critical infrastructure.
Beyond NIS2 compliance, we support organizations in achieving international standards in Artificial Intelligence, Information Security, Business Continuity, and more through ISO certifications.
For a secure and sustainable future, reach out to us for training and certification services at sales@cfecert.co.uk.
