In the age of digital advancement, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater. The NIS2 Directive, a revised version of the Network and Information Security Directive, is at the centre of improving cybersecurity obligations for critical infrastructure companies. This article looks at the intricacies of NIS2 compliance and highlights how HYCU plays a supporting role in protecting digital landscapes.
The NIS2 Directive expands the scope of cybersecurity to include risk management, incident reporting and information sharing. It extends the basis for cybersecurity risk management measures across the EU.
Understanding NIS2
What is NIS2?
NIS2, which was officially published in December 2022, is a response to the evolving cyber threat landscape. It mandates stricter security measures that include risk analyses, incident handling, business continuity, supply chain security and more.
History of NIS2
NIS2 was introduced in the European Union and came into force on 16 January 2023. Member states must transpose it into national law by 18 October 2024, underlining the urgency of addressing escalating cyber threats.
The alarming rise in cyberattacks
The spread of cybercrime poses a significant threat, reflected in rapid growth, an increase in ransomware and a global impact on critical infrastructure. The statistics emphasise the urgent need for comprehensive cyber security measures.
Monetising the growing threat of cybercrime
The cybercrime landscape continues to evolve, fuelled by financial motives, sophisticated attacks and the growing Internet of Things (IoT). NIS2 compliance is critical in the face of these challenges.
Importance of NIS2 compliance
Why is NIS2 compliance important?
NIS2 compliance is paramount for organisations to protect themselves from cyber threats. It mandates specific operational security requirements, incident reporting and continuous improvement. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties and reputational damage.
Applicability to US companies
Although NIS2 is an EU cybersecurity law, US companies serving EU customers may fall within the scope of the law. Understanding the obligations and complying with the NIS2 guidelines is essential for these companies.
Entities that must comply with NIS2 regulations
NIS2 applies to 'essential' and 'critical' organisations, including large sectors such as transport, banking, healthcare and digital services. Compliance includes risk analysis, supply chain security and encryption implementation.
Steps to ensure NIS2 compliance
NIS2 compliance requires a systematic approach:
Know the requirements for your organisation: Understand the specific NIS2 requirements that apply to your organisation.
Perform a risk assessment: Identify and assess the ICT risks associated with your systems.
Consult with multiple teams: Involve IT, legal and risk management teams in the compliance process.
Conduct employee training: Train your employees on NIS2 requirements.
Create an operational resilience strategy: Develop a comprehensive strategy for managing ICT risks and ensuring operational resilience.
Further steps include assessing third-party vendors, regular testing and developing contingency and business continuity plans.
Enforcing NIS2 compliance in organisations
Responsibility for NIS2 compliance lies with the governing bodies of significant and important organisations. These include the board of directors, the CISO, the CRO, the CTO and the legal and IT departments.
The role of HYCU in NIS2 compliance
Protection of SaaS workloads
HYCU platform, a multi-cloud and hybrid IT Data Protection as a Service platform, provides a unified, agentless Backup as a Service solution. It ensures comprehensive data protection from on-premises to public cloud to SaaS and supports companies in fulfilling NIS2 requirements.
R-Score: evaluation of cybersecurity readiness
HYCU's R-Score assessment provides a quantitative measure of an organisation's readiness to recover from a ransomware attack. This tool helps to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with NIS2 risk management requirements and continuously improve cybersecurity measures.
In a time of escalating cyber threats, compliance with NIS2 requirements is becoming the linchpin for organisations looking to protect their digital infrastructure. HYCU's innovative solutions provide a robust shield against evolving cyber challenges and ensure the resilience and security of critical data.
Frequently asked questions
Does NIS2 compliance only apply to EU companies?
Whilst it is an EU cyber security law, non-EU companies supplying customers in the EU may also need to comply.
Which sectors are covered by NIS2?
NIS2 applies to key sectors such as transport, banking and healthcare, as well as key sectors such as waste management and digital services.
Can US companies providing services in the EU be subject to NIS2?
Yes, US companies providing services to EU customers may be required to comply with NIS2.
How does HYCU contribute to NIS2 compliance?
HYCU provides data protection solutions, including backup and recovery, encryption and immutable data storage, to help organizations comply with NIS2 requirements.
What does the R-Score assessment mean for NIS2 compliance?
The R-Score assesses an organisation's preparedness for a ransomware attack, helping to meet NIS2 risk management requirements and ensure continuous improvement.
Interested in learning more?
- Watch the NIS2 webinar recording, Decoding The NIS2 Directive for Atlassian Cloud: This Is What You Need To Know
- Sign up for your Free Trial
- Protect and recover more data sources than ever with R-Cloud
- Evaluate your data protection status with R-Graph
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