Network and Information Systems Directive 2

‍NIS 2 (Network and Information Systems Directive 2) is the European Union's cybersecurity directive designed to increase the overall resilience and responsiveness of organizations operating critical infrastructure.

The term NIS 2 refers to a major regulatory effort by the European Union focused on cybersecurity for essential services and critical infrastructure.

It provides the framework for ensuring compliance and imposing cybersecurity requirements on essential and important organizations.

NIS 2 is crucial because it expands the scope and strengthens the legal obligations for companies operating key services across the EU, replacing the original NIS Directive.

Regulatory Context and Scope

The NIS 2 directive mandates specific requirements for organizations deemed essential or important, primarily focused on enhancing their digital resilience and security.

Geographic Scope

NIS 2 is a European Union cybersecurity directive.

Target Organizations

Compliance products related to NIS 2 are marketed to critical infrastructure organizations, which are considered essential and important.

Affected Industries

The need for NIS 2 documentation and training applies across many vital sectors, including IT and SaaS companies, manufacturing, transportation and distribution, telecommunications, banking and finance, government entities, health organizations, the medical device industry, aerospace, and laboratories.

Required Compliance Components

Achieving and maintaining compliance with NIS 2 primarily requires rigorous documentation and mandatory training programs across the entire organization:

Documentation and Procedures

Organizations must establish thorough documented procedures to meet the directive's requirements.

• Documentation Toolkits: Organizations can utilize NIS 2 Documentation Toolkits, which provide all the necessary policies, procedures, and forms required to comply with the directive.
• Integrated Systems: NIS 2 documentation is frequently implemented alongside documentation for other significant regulatory standards, such as ISO 27001 (for cybersecurity), ISO 22301 (for business continuity), and DORA (for cybersecurity in the financial sector).

Training and Awareness (Article 20)

A key element of NIS 2 is the mandated training structure designed to educate personnel at all levels regarding cybersecurity risks:

Mandatory Training

NIS 2 Cybersecurity Training & Awareness programs are required for employees and senior management to ensure compliance with Article 20 of the NIS 2 directive.

Purpose

These company-wide cybersecurity awareness programs are intended to decrease incidents and support a successful overall cybersecurity program.

Relationship to Other Management Systems

The implementation of NIS 2 often overlaps with established international management system standards, particularly those dealing with security and resilience:

ISO 27001

This ISO standard addresses Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Organizations often seek documentation and training that cover both ISO 27001 (cybersecurity) and NIS 2 requirements simultaneously.

DORA

NIS 2 compliance often runs parallel to DORA, which focuses specifically on cybersecurity for financial entities.

ISO 22301

This standard covers Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS). Because critical infrastructure must maintain resilience, organizations often combine NIS 2 compliance with ISO 22301 compliance documentation.

An effective NIS 2 implementation, therefore, leverages existing quality and security frameworks to establish the specific cyber protection controls mandated by the EU for critical operations.

Analogy for Understanding

If Quality Management Systems (QMS) like ISO 9001 ensure that a factory's internal machinery operates efficiently and consistently, the NIS 2 Directive serves as the mandated fire code and security plan for that same factory, specifically focused on its digital brain and vital utility connections. It requires the factory to document every defense protocol, train all staff (from the CEO down) on how to respond to a digital breach, and ensure that the critical services the factory provides (like water or power generation) are resilient against external cyber threats.

‍