In an increasingly digitized economic world, cybersecurity has become a fundamental pillar of business resilience. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, targeting both large corporations and SMEs. In response to this growing threat, the European Union has strengthened its regulatory framework by adopting the NIS 2 (Network and Information Security) Directive, aimed at significantly raising the level of protection for digital infrastructures across the European territory.
For affected organizations, compliance with this new directive represents a major challenge that necessarily begins with an in-depth assessment of IT infrastructure vulnerabilities. This crucial step helps identify potential weaknesses and establish an effective security strategy, while aligning with a broader data protection approach, as advocated by the GDPR and its impact assessment tools.
Understanding the stakes of the NIS 2 Directive for your IT infrastructure
The NIS 2 Directive marks a significant evolution of the European cybersecurity framework, considerably expanding its scope compared to its previous version. Now, a greater number of organizations are affected, with strengthened obligations and potentially heavier sanctions in the event of non-compliance.
Entities covered by NIS 2
The NIS 2 Directive extends its scope to new sectors deemed essential or important for the European economy and society. These include:
- Essential digital service providers (cloud computing, online platforms, search engines)
- The energy sector (electricity, oil, gas)
- Transport (air, rail, maritime, road)
- The banking sector and financial market infrastructures
- The health sector and research laboratories
- Digital infrastructures (internet access providers, domain name registries)
- Public administrations
For these organizations, compliance with the NIS 2 Directive necessarily involves a thorough and regular risk assessment, as well as the implementation of appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security commensurate with the risks involved.
New risk assessment requirements
The NIS 2 Directive strengthens requirements in terms of vulnerability analysis and cyber risk management. It specifically mandates:
- The performance of regular, documented risk assessments
- A risk-based approach to determine appropriate security measures
- Implementation of security incident management processes
- Mandatory notification of significant incidents to competent authorities
These new requirements call for a structured and methodical approach to risk assessment, which can be supported by dedicated compliance software solutions to facilitate management and tracking.
Methodology for assessing vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure
Vulnerability assessment is the cornerstone of an effective cybersecurity strategy and successful compliance with the NIS 2 Directive. This process must follow a rigorous methodology to ensure completeness and relevance.
Mapping digital assets
The first step is to carry out a complete inventory of the organization’s IT assets:
- Identification of critical information systems
- Listing of essential applications and services
- Mapping data flows and interconnections
- Identifying dependencies on external providers
This mapping provides a comprehensive view of the company’s digital ecosystem and forms the foundation for risk analysis. It must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the IT infrastructure.
For organizations lacking internal resources, relying on an external specialized DPO may be particularly relevant to support this process.
Identifying and assessing threats
Once the mapping is complete, it is essential to identify potential threats that could impact the organization’s digital assets:
- External threats (DDoS attacks, ransomware, phishing, etc.)
- Internal threats (human error, malicious acts, negligence)
- Technical vulnerabilities (software flaws, misconfigurations)
- Third-party risks (vendors, partners, subcontractors)
For each identified threat, it is essential to assess the likelihood of occurrence and potential impact on business activity. This analysis helps prioritize risks and define corrective actions.
Penetration tests and vulnerability scans
Penetration tests and vulnerability scans are valuable tools for identifying security weaknesses in the IT infrastructure:
- Automated scans to detect known vulnerabilities
- Penetration tests simulating real attacks
- Code audits for internally developed applications
- Physical security assessments of facilities
These tests must be conducted regularly and after each significant infrastructure change. They help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
Companies based in Paris can benefit from the expertise of an outsourced DPO in Paris to orchestrate these technical evaluations and interpret the results in the NIS 2 regulatory context.
Analysis of results and development of a remediation plan
In-depth analysis of vulnerability assessment results provides a clear diagnosis of the organization’s IT security status and helps define an appropriate remediation strategy.
Interpreting assessment results
The results of the various tests and analyses must be consolidated to obtain an overall picture of the cyber risks to which the organization is exposed:
- Classification of vulnerabilities by criticality level
- Correlation of identified flaws
- Evaluation of overall risk exposure
- Identification of potential failure points
This analysis phase requires technical expertise and a deep understanding of business and regulatory contexts. For companies in Lyon, working with an outsourced DPO in Lyon can facilitate interpretation and ensure compliance with NIS 2 requirements.
