The Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2) is a European Union regulation that aims to enhance the cybersecurity posture of critical infrastructure. NIS2, which builds on the original NIS Directive introduced in 2016, expands the scope and requirements to include energy, healthcare, transportation, finance, and digital services – with the goal of addressing evolving cyber threats more effectively.
What Is the Significance of the Deadline?
While NIS2 came into force almost two years ago (on January 16, 2023), the deadline for EU Member States to transpose the NIS2 Directive into applicable, national law is on October 17, 2024. This is a crucial deadline for businesses. Failure to comply with the NIS2 directive after this date can result in severe consequences, including financial penalties.
NIS2 Focuses on Critical Infrastructure
NIS2 broadens the earlier NIS directive by covering more sectors and entities deemed critical to societal functions. It focuses on ensuring that organizations in these sectors are equipped to handle cyber threats – preventing downtime, data breaches, and operational disruption.
NIS2 focuses on areas of service are vital to the functioning of society and the economy, and any disruption due to cyber incidents could have widespread consequences. The regulations are designed to address the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks on these services. New sectors in NIS2 include waste management, postal services, public administration, and the manufacturing of critical products.
More Stringent Security and Incident Reporting
NIS2 introduces new security requirements. Organizations under NIS2 must implement specific technical and organizational measures to manage cybersecurity risks. These include securing network and information systems, managing vulnerabilities, and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
NIS2 also mandates faster and more structured incident reporting to ensure authorities can respond promptly to mitigate the threat and prevent further damage. Organizations must:
- Report significant incidents to their national authorities within 24 hours of detection
- Provide a detailed incident report within 72 hours
Improved Governance and Cooperation
NIS2 emphasizes closer cooperation between EU member states. It encourages the exchange of information and coordination of responses to cyber incidents.
NIS2 also calls for improved cooperation with the private sector, to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem. By fostering greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, it aims to create a more resilient infrastructure against cyber threats.
Stricter Penalties
Compared to the original NIS directive, one of the most significant changes in NIS2 is the introduction of stricter penalties to enforce compliance. Organizations that fail to meet the directive’s requirements may face administrative fines – similar to those under the GDPR.
Where NIS2 Meets DDoS
A crucial aspect of NIS2 is its emphasis on defense against large-scale attacks. This includes DDoS attacks, which can cripple essential services. NIS2 requires organizations to implement robust measures to detect and mitigate DDoS attacks.
DDoS defenses are particularly important in sectors like banking, healthcare and public services, where service availability is critical. NIS2 mandates that companies implement DDoS risk management measures, report damaging DDoS attacks, and ensure the security of their network and information systems.
NIS2 vs. Other Regulatory Frameworks
Although they all aim to enhance cybersecurity and resilience, the NIS 2 Directive, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), and the SEC regulations differ in their scope, focus, and regulatory targets:
- NIS 2 has a broad focus on critical infrastructure cybersecurity in the EU
- DORA zeroes in on the operational resilience of the EU financial sector
- SEC regulations prioritize cybersecurity risk disclosure and investor protection for publicly traded companies in the US
Here’s a breakdown of between them:
Continuous DDoS Testing is Key to Compliance
MazeBolt RADAR™ enables organizations to mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks with continuous, non disruptive simulations. It runs thousands of attack simulations that scrutinize every DDoS vulnerability with zero disruption to online services.
RADAR enables automated, proactive identification and patching of DDoS vulnerabilities – before a damaging attack can take place. Its continuous DDoS testing capabilities provide organizations with the data-driven DDoS risk management and extensive reporting necessary to meet NIS2 compliance requirements.
Interested in learning more about how MazeBolt RADAR can help you meet NIS2 requirements? Speak with an expert!
