As digital threats grow more sophisticated, Europe takes a strategic leap in bolstering cybersecurity with the NIS2 Directive, representing a crucial update to existing measures.
What is the NIS2 Directive?
The NIS2 Directive, formally known as the Network and Information Systems 2 Directive, is an essential progression in Europe’s cybersecurity framework. Building on the groundwork of the original NIS Directive, this new initiative aims to counter the evolving landscape of cyber threats by reinforcing the security protocols of network and information systems throughout the European Union.
This directive expands existing regulations to cover more sectors, such as healthcare, digital infrastructure, and public administration - acknowledging their vital roles in societal function. With stricter security requirements, its primary goal is to achieve a unified high standard of cybersecurity across EU member states, thereby minimising risks and fostering a culture of proactive security.
Core Elements of NIS2
NIS2 introduces several essential elements to fortify cybersecurity defences. It broadens the scope to include crucial sectors beyond the previous directive, acknowledging their significance in maintaining essential services.
Moreover, it imposes more rigorous security standards for essential service operators and digital service providers, emphasising risk management, incident response, and business continuity. Regular security assessments and audits are mandated to ensure compliance.
The directive also stresses enhanced collaboration among member states, encouraging a unified response to cybersecurity challenges. This includes the creation of the European Cyber Crises Liaison Organisation Network (EU-CyCLONe) to coordinate responses to significant cyber incidents.
IAM’s Critical Role in NIS2 Compliance
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is pivotal for robust cybersecurity and plays a significant role in NIS2 adherence. IAM solutions enable organisations to manage who accesses their systems and what actions they can take, minimising the risk of unauthorised access and potential data breaches.
By deploying IAM, organisations can enforce strong authentication protocols, limit access rights, and monitor user activities for unusual behaviour. These aspects align with the NIS2 directive’s objectives of risk management and incident response, ensuring access is granted only to authorised individuals.
Furthermore, IAM aids compliance by offering detailed audit logs and reports crucial for demonstrating adherence to security standards during audits. Integrating IAM within cybersecurity strategies not only strengthens security postures but also helps meet NIS2’s stringent demands.
Preparation for NIS2: Guidance for Governments
Government entities hold a key role in actualizing NIS2 and need to adopt proactive strategies to meet its standards. Conducting thorough risk assessments to identify weaknesses is a necessary first step.
A robust incident response plan is imperative, detailing procedures for detecting, reporting, and mitigating cyber incidents to ensure quick, coordinated action in minimising damages.
Investment in cybersecurity education and training is critical. By informing employees about cyber threats and enhancing their response skills, organisations can significantly bolster their security framework.
Finally, implementing advanced technologies like IAM solutions assists government bodies in fulfilling NIS2’s security expectations and safeguarding vital infrastructure from cyber threats.
Identum and Visma's Commitment to Cybersecurity Excellence
Identum proudly aligns with the Visma Security Program, underscoring its dedication to cybersecurity excellence. Visma assesses security levels relative to targeted standards and develops risk management strategies to include critical vulnerability fixes, consistent with NIS2’s focus on risk management and incident response.
Visma’s 24/7 security operations center covers monitoring, detection, prevention, and incident handling, with the Visma Cyber Crime Centre (VC3) actively preventing cyber crime to secure the organization.
By using the Security Maturity Index, Visma tracks security performance against targets in real-time, aiding strategic decision-making and meeting NIS2's accountability requirements.
Emphasising ongoing learning and improvement, the Visma Security Program ensures that even amid team and product changes, security competence and maturity remain intact.
