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Organizations around the world face huge security risks. Cyber threats are becoming more advanced and widespread.

The latest SME IT Trends report shows that 68% of small and medium enterprises faced at least one cyberattack last year. Ransomware was one of the most reported sources, but AI-generated attacks are also rising quickly. Security concerns span an ever-widening group of attack vectors.

These statistics show how vulnerable organizations of all sizes are. They highlight the urgent need for strong cybersecurity measures. A single organization’s weak cybersecurity can affect many others. This is due to how closely modern business ecosystems are linked.

So, following shared cybersecurity standards is key. It helps strengthen defenses and ensures resilience across networks and industries.

To uphold this shared standard, the European Union passed a key law last year. This law, called the NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555), aims to strengthen cybersecurity in member states.

The question for European organizations is not if they will comply, but how ready they are. They need to meet new requirements, protect their organization, and ensure business continuity.

For IT leaders, this goes beyond compliance. It’s a chance to improve your organization’s cybersecurity and strengthen its defense against threats. This article explains the directive, the main challenges organizations face, and steps to align your IT strategy with NIS2.

What is the NIS2 Directive?

The NIS2 Directive builds on the original NIS Directive. It aims to tackle the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats.

The goal is clear: strengthen cybersecurity in the European Union. This will cover more sectors and introduce new requirements. These include risk management, incident response, and supply chain security. Non-compliance isn’t an option as penalties for failing to adhere could be severe.

NIS2 tightens rules and shifts accountability. Now, senior management must ensure compliance directly. This cultural shift makes cybersecurity a boardroom priority rather than only one for IT.

Why NIS2 Matters to IT Professionals

NIS2 affects IT leaders in several key ways:

• More organizations must comply with the new regulations. This is especially true for those in essential and high-impact sectors like healthcare, energy, and finance. This expansion ensures critical industries are better protected against cyber threats.
• Stronger Standards: Organizations need to adopt better technical, organizational, and operational steps to boost their cybersecurity. This includes adopting advanced tools, stricter processes, and regular assessments to maintain compliance.
• Incident Reporting: You must report cybersecurity incidents on time. Deadlines are strict. Organizations must alert authorities quickly. This helps take action to reduce risks and avoid more damage.
• Supply Chain Security: Cybersecurity is now everyone’s job. It goes beyond just your organization. It includes your whole supply chain. Companies must make sure their suppliers and partners meet the required standards. This helps reduce vulnerabilities in connected systems.

IT leaders need to review their security policies, infrastructure, and resources. This will help them be prepared. The stakes are incredibly high—failure to comply can not only result in financial penalties but also reputational damage.

The Five Key Challenges of NIS2 Compliance—and How to Overcome Them

NIS2 brings several tough challenges for organizations aiming to comply. To tackle gaps in cyber resilience and handle complex reporting duties, a smart and organized strategy is needed.

Every obstacle has its own risks. But with careful planning and smart use of resources, you can reduce them.

Here are five main challenges of NIS2 compliance, along with practical strategies to tackle them.

1. Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures

The Challenge: Organizations need to put in place strong technical safeguards. They should conduct risk assessments and update security policies. Also, they need to improve their IT infrastructure. These changes require significant investment and expertise.

Solution: Use current frameworks like ISO 27001 to form a strong base. ISO 27001 covers key areas like risk management, incident response, and security controls. These areas also meet NIS2 requirements. By integrating these measures into daily operations, IT teams can meet compliance with fewer growing pains.

2. Compliance Documentation and Burden

The Challenge: NIS2 needs ongoing audits, records of cybersecurity practices, and quick reporting of security incidents. This puts a strain on resources.

Solution: Automate compliance tasks wherever possible. ̽»¨´óÉñ helps IT teams by centralizing logging and reporting. It provides detailed activity trails that make auditing easier. Pair this with automated reporting integrations for quick incident responses, minimizing the workload on IT resources.

3. Supply Chain Security

The Challenge: Keep checking your suppliers. Make sure they meet NIS2 cybersecurity standards.

Solution: Make cybersecurity part of supplier contracts. Use vendor risk management frameworks to check for threats. Collaborative platforms, such as shared SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solutions, keep you transparent. They also let you check supplier compliance easily, without slowing down operations.

4. Management Accountability and Training

The Challenge: NIS2 makes senior management responsible for cybersecurity. So, executives need to grasp the risks and provide enough resources.

Solution: Encourage teamwork between C-suite leaders and IT staff. Share useful insights on cybersecurity risks and compliance needs regularly. Broad IT platforms help IT teams create clear reporting dashboards on access and security. This makes it easier for business leaders to see where investments are needed.

Regular training for management should be combined with this to keep them informed about their NIS2 responsibilities.

5. Incident Response Planning

The Challenge: NIS2 requires strong incident response plans. These plans must be easy to implement during an attack.

Solution: Borrow proven methodologies from established frameworks like ISO 27001. Hold regular tabletop exercises to simulate breaches. This way, all stakeholders will know their roles during an incident. Use tools to quickly revoke compromised credentials or isolate endpoints from the network in a crisis.

NIS2 and ISO 27001—A Powerful Compliance Combination

NIS2 is a legal requirement, and ISO 27001 is a voluntary standard. However, both aim for similar goals. Aligning workflows with ISO 27001 gives organizations a solid base to meet NIS2 requirements.

The two intersect in a number of ways. Both focus on risk management and incident response. This helps organizations stay strong against cybersecurity threats. This shared focus shows how important it is to take proactive steps. We need to identify, reduce, and respond to risks effectively.

ISO 27001 matches well with NIS2’s technical safeguards. These include access control, incident logging, and enforcing policies. These measures aim to boost an organization’s security. They help keep sensitive data and systems safe from possible breaches.

The key difference?

NIS2 has strict rules for reporting incidents. It outlines clear timelines and steps for telling authorities about security breaches. It also focuses on specific industries, especially critical infrastructure organizations. These groups must meet higher standards of compliance and accountability.

If your organization follows ISO 27001, you’re on track for NIS2 compliance. If you’re just starting, building operations that follow ISO 27001 makes it easier to meet the directive’s demands.

Enhance Compliance and Security with ̽»¨´óÉñ

For IT pros, meeting NIS2 requirements can seem tough. But with the right tools and strategies, you can make it doable. This effort also helps boost your organization’s long-term security.

̽»¨´óÉñ delivers tailored solutions to meet NIS2 requirements head-on, including:

• Granular access control through centralized identity management.
• Automated compliance monitoring, enabling easy audits and reporting.
• Streamlined device security through patch management, encryption, and real-time monitoring.

With ̽»¨´óÉñ, compliance goes beyond checking boxes. It’s about building resilience and operational excellence. This is what your business needs to stay competitive.

Are You NIS2-Ready?

NIS2 is more than just a new rule. It’s a key chance for organizations to focus on cybersecurity and protect their future. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Contact a ̽»¨´óÉñ expert today. Find out how to meet this new standard. See how ̽»¨´óÉñ helps organizations succeed, no matter their size.