In today’s digital age, where cyber threats are constantly evolving, companies must remain vigilant to protect their data and systems. The NIS 2 Directive (Network and Information Security 2) significantly strengthens the requirements for cybersecurity and risk management for a large number of European organizations. Faced with these new obligations, how can one structure an effective and sustainable approach? This article offers you a detailed roadmap to build a cybersecurity strategy that complies with NIS 2, in synergy with other regulations such as the GDPR, a fundamental framework for the protection of personal data in Europe.
Understanding the Fundamentals of the NIS 2 Directive
The NIS 2 Directive, adopted by the European Union, represents a major evolution in the regulatory landscape of digital security. It significantly broadens the scope of the first NIS Directive and imposes stricter security measures.
Main Objectives of NIS 2
NIS 2 aims to strengthen the cyber resilience of essential and important entities across the European Union. The directive pursues several key objectives:
- Harmonize approaches to network security among Member States
- Improve the overall level of IT protection for critical infrastructures
- Establish a culture of proactive cyber risk management
- Implement robust mechanisms for incident notification
- Strengthen international cooperation in the face of cross-border threats
Entities Concerned
Unlike its previous version, NIS 2 significantly expands its scope. It now applies to:
Essential entities: energy, transport, health, digital infrastructure, public administrations, space, etc.
Important entities: postal services, waste management, manufacturing of critical products, digital services, and many other sectors.
Size is also a determining factor: medium-sized businesses (more than 50 employees) and large enterprises in these sectors fall under the directive.
Developing Governance Aligned with NIS 2 Requirements
Establishing a strong governance framework is the cornerstone of an effective NIS 2 compliance strategy. This decision-making structure must enable a comprehensive and coherent view of security challenges.
Involve Executive Management
Executive involvement is crucial for several reasons:
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern; it is a strategic issue requiring a global vision. Executives must understand the risks associated with cyber threats and their potential impacts on the business.
The investments needed to achieve and maintain NIS 2 compliance require budgetary decisions that only top management can approve. A personalized GDPR support can facilitate this awareness and help structure the process.
Appoint Dedicated Officers
NIS 2 explicitly requires the designation of key personnel:
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who oversees all technical and organizational aspects of security.
Cybersecurity leads in each critical department of the organization, forming a network of complementary expertise.
For companies lacking sufficient internal resources, opting for an external DPO may be a wise choice, especially to coordinate GDPR requirements with those of NIS 2.
Establish a Risk Management Framework
A methodical risk analysis is the foundation of any NIS 2 compliance strategy. This analysis should:
- Identify critical assets and their vulnerabilities
- Assess potential threats and their likelihood
- Measure potential impacts on business activity
- Prioritize risks based on their severity and probability
This approach is similar to that of the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), but with a specific focus on business continuity and resilience against cyberattacks.
Implement Suitable Technical Measures
Compliance with NIS 2 requires a coherent set of technical measures covering the company’s entire information system.
Secure the Network Infrastructure
The network security is the first line of defense against intrusions:
- Deploy next-generation firewalls capable of deep traffic analysis
- Segment the network to isolate critical components and limit the spread of potential breaches
- Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
- Secure communications through VPN tunnels for remote access
Strengthen Data Protection
The protection of sensitive data requires multiple layers of defense:
- Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit
- Implement access control mechanisms based on the principle of least privilege
- Deploy Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions
- Ensure rigorous backup management, including regular restoration testing
Companies based in Lyon or Paris can benefit from specialized support to adapt these measures to their specific sectors.
Enhance Endpoint Security
Workstations and mobile devices are often the weakest link in the security chain:
- Deploy advanced antimalware solutions with behavioral detection capabilities
- Implement centralized security update management
- Apply full-disk encryption on all mobile devices
- Implement strong, ideally multi-factor, authentication solutions
Foster a Culture of Cybersecurity
Technology alone is not enough: people remain at the heart of IT security. NIS 2 emphasizes the need to train and raise awareness among all employees.
Regularly Train Teams
Training should be tailored to different profiles within the company:
- General awareness sessions for all staff on basic best practices
- Targeted training for technical teams on the latest threats and countermeasures
- Dedicated workshops for developers on security-by-design principles
Incorporating ethical considerations in business into these trainings enhances their relevance and acceptance.
