The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and with it, the threats that organisations face in terms of cybersecurity are becoming more sophisticated and frequent. The European Union, recognising the need for a robust cybersecurity framework, has introduced the Network and Information Security (NIS2) Directive. This directive aims to enhance the digital and economic resilience of its Member States by addressing the increasing cybersecurity risks posed by phishing attempts, malware, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats.
The NIS2 Directive expands the scope of its predecessor, the first NIS Directive, to include a wider range of sectors and organisations. It classifies organisations as 'essential' or 'important' entities based on specific criteria, with essential entities being large organisations active in essential sectors, and important entities being medium-sized organisations operating in essential or important sectors. The directive imposes stricter security requirements on entities within its scope, including risk management measures, incident response plans, supply chain security, and measures to ensure the security of network and information systems. Additionally, the NIS2 Directive introduces stricter reporting obligations and harmonised sanctions for non-compliance.
At Atsky, we understand the complexities and challenges that organisations face in complying with the NIS2 Directive. Our cloud professional services are designed to help organisations navigate these challenges and achieve compliance with ease.
The NIS2 Directive was proposed to address limitations and gaps identified in the original NIS Directive and to strengthen cybersecurity requirements across the EU. The proposed changes included:
1. Expanded Scope:
The NIS2 Directive significantly expands the scope of its predecessor, the first NIS Directive, to include a wider range of sectors and organisations. This expansion is aimed at ensuring that more entities essential to the functioning of society and the economy are covered by the directive's cybersecurity requirements.
Sectors and Entities Included:
The NIS2 Directive includes essential sectors such as energy, transportation, financial market infrastructure, healthcare, drinking water, digital infrastructure, wastewater, government services, space travel, management of ICT services, and banking. It also includes important sectors such as digital providers, postal and courier services, waste management, foodstuffs, chemicals, research, and manufacturing.
Classification of Entities:
Organisations are classified as 'essential' or 'important' entities based on specific criteria. Essential entities are large organisations active in essential sectors, with more than 250 employees or a net turnover of more than €50 million and a balance sheet total of more than €43 million. Important entities are medium-sized organisations operating in essential or important sectors, with at least 50 employees or an annual turnover or balance sheet total of more than €10 million.
2. Stricter Security Requirements:
The NIS2 Directive imposes stricter security requirements on entities within its scope to ensure a high level of cybersecurity.
Risk Management Measures:
Entities are required to conduct their own risk assessments and take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of network and information systems. This includes measures to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents.
Incident Response Measures:
Entities must have incident response plans in place to effectively respond to cybersecurity incidents. This includes measures to mitigate the impact of incidents and to restore the normal functioning of systems.
Supply Chain Security:
The NIS2 Directive requires entities to take measures to ensure the security of their supply chains. This includes assessing the cybersecurity risks posed by suppliers and taking steps to mitigate those risks.
Security of Network and Information Systems:
Entities must take measures to ensure the security of their network and information systems. This includes measures to protect against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction of data.
3. Stricter Reporting Obligations:
The NIS2 Directive imposes stricter reporting obligations on entities within its scope to ensure that incidents are promptly reported and addressed.
Incident Reporting:
Entities are required to report incidents to the relevant regulatory authority within 24 hours of becoming aware of the incident. This includes incidents that could significantly disrupt the provision of essential services.
Reporting to CSIRT:
In the event of a cyber incident, entities must also report the incident to the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT). The CSIRT can then provide help and assistance to address the incident.
Criteria for Reporting:
The criteria that make an incident reportable include the number of people affected by the disruption, the duration of the disruption, and possible financial losses incurred as a result of the incident.
4. Harmonised Sanctions:
The NIS2 Directive proposes harmonised sanctions for non-compliance to ensure that entities take the directive's requirements seriously.
Fines:
Entities that fail to comply with the NIS2 Directive can be subject to significant fines. The exact amount of the fines will be determined by the relevant regulatory authority.
Reputational Damage:
In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance can also result in severe reputational damage. This can have long-term negative impacts on an organisation's relationship with its customers, partners, and other stakeholders.
Other Sanctions:
Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, entities may also be subject to other sanctions as determined by the relevant regulatory authority.
The aim of these stricter security requirements is to ensure that entities within the scope of the NIS2 Directive are adequately protected against cybersecurity threats and are able to effectively respond to incidents when they occur. The aim of these stricter reporting obligations and harmonised sanctions is also to ensure that entities take the necessary steps to secure their network and information systems, promptly report incidents, and comply with the directive's requirements. Failure to do so can result in significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and other sanctions.
Atsky's cloud professional services are perfectly aligned to support companies in adhering to the NIS2 Directive's compliance requirements. Our comprehensive cloud strategy ensures a secure IT infrastructure, while our DevOps services promote faster and more reliable software delivery. With Infrastructure as Code, we provide essential automation for risk management, and our cloud-native services support the security of network and information systems. Lastly, our observability services offer the necessary visibility and control to optimise cloud environments. Let Atsky guide you through the complexities of NIS2 compliance, ensuring your organisation's digital and economic resilience. In summary, Atsky's offerings are well-positioned to help organisations comply with the requirements of the NIS2 directive by providing a secure framework for IT infrastructure, promoting agility and speed in software development, ensuring accuracy and security in infrastructure management, securing modern cloud-native architectures, and providing the necessary visibility and control for cloud environments.
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