The updated Directive on Network Security and EU information (NIS2) introduces a uniform legal framework for adherence to cyber security in 18 critical sectors. This key update deals with developing cyber threats and strengthens the digital resistance of basic European basic services. NIS2 came into force in 2023, with Member States expected until October 2024. Cisco Security Solutions, reinforced by the latest innovations, help organizations in strengthening their defense of cyber security.
In this blog, we will explore the key components of NIS2, demonstrate how the top solutions of Cisco can serve as your armor cyber security and discussing how to integrate NIS2 and the European Union General Data Protection (GDPR) into the cohesive defensive layer.
NIS2 understanding
The NIS2 Directive is the successor of the NIS1 Directive, which is considering the first understanding of the Cyber Security Act throughout the EU. Since its implementation in 2018, the NIS1 Directive has proven to be necessary for the EU cyber security strategy, but over time the NIS1 standards have come due to the challenges that represent the current threat.
NIS2 extends the scope of legal regulations by involving new sectors and types of organizations that must meet and initial strict requirements for their cyber security. The key aspects include:
-
- Wider coverage of critical industries: Another critical industry that has not been specifically covered with NIS1, which is now covered by NIS2: production, public administration, space, waste management, food production and postal and courier services, maintaining the protection of existing sectors such as energy, transport, Healthcare, Healthcare and digital infrastructure.
- Mandate measures for risk management of cyber security: NIS2 introduces comprehensive measures to manage cyber safety to increase the resistance and safety of basic and important entities throughout the EU. These measures include risk management procedures, responses to incidents and continuous monitoring to detect and alleviate threats immediately.
All entities in the range are direct to determine the robust security of the supply chain, perform regular audits and ensure available training for employees to make the main standard of awareness of cyber security and readiness.
NIS2 also has global consequences by ordering that any organization, regardless of its geographical origin, offers services in space in the EU -regulated sectors, must adhere to its understanding of cyber security standard. Society outside the EU in critical sectors must meet NIS2 requirements for EU market access to the main EU and avoid a potentially substantial regulatory penalty, and effectively determine a new global scale of cyber security. - Increased safety requirements for digital and physical assets: In the NIS2 Guide, Member States leads to promote increased safety requirements for both digital and physical assets to strengthen the position of cyber security of basic and important entities. These requirements include implementing measures for advanced protection for IT and OT systems and networks, ensuring physical security of critical infrastructure and cyber security integration into the design and maintenance of digital and physical components.
Increased responsibility for top leadership
The NIS2 Directive is considering increased responsibility for the top management in strengthening organizational cyber security. This included their personal responsibility for supervision of implementing effective measures in the area of cyber security, adequate to the allocation of resources and compliance with the NIS2 Directive requirements.
Top management must also be involved in strategic decision -making related to cyber security, which reflects their critical role in promoting security culture within the organization.
The NIS2 Directive further introduces strict obligations of reporting on the incident, and the incidents will be reported within 24 hours of discovery, followed by a more detailed update within 72 hours and a comprehensive final report within one month.
Innovation Cisco: Universal ZTNA and Hybrid Mesh Firewall
Solutions Cisco Security Solutions offered a layered security strategy that corresponds to NIS2 goals to improve NIS2 resistance and responsibility. As an example, building NIS2 is offered by Cisco as Universal Zero Trust Network Access and Mesh Firewall Hybrid to further increase the posture of cyber security.
Universal ZTNA copes with the mission of NIS2 implementing the principles of zero trust and offers:
- Adaptive, context factor access police
- Continuous monitoring of user behavior and equipment
- Secure access to cloud and network applications and industrial assets
- Unified management and scalable adoption
This approach strengthens critical infrastructure by minimizing access, networking segmentation and hiding applications. It only ensures verification and authorized users access to critical renewal by strict identity verification and continuous monitoring. This is in line with the NIS2 objectives and helps organizations to meet the standard of compliance and at the same time minimize unauthorized access risks.
The Mesh Firewall Hybrid complements the ZTNA offer on a single security platform and provides a single security platform with:
- Consists of sweetness
- Integrated visibility
- Scalable security measures
Cisco’s Hybrid Network Firewall provides an understanding of a security solution that integrated network protection and application level in different environments, included on-primise, cloud and hybrid settings. This Firewall solution organizes real -time identification and mitigation and offers advanced threat detection and responsible abilities. By ensuring digital and physical assets, the Hybrid network firewall supports the NIS2 Directive for increased safety measures and helps protect the network infrastructure from potential vulnerability.
Together, Firewall ZTNA and Hybrid Mesh enable organizations to create a defense defense strategy that deals with developing threats and supports NIS2 goals for proactive threat detection, incidents of reaction and resistance to cyber attacks.
NIS2 and GDPR: United data protection access
Nis2 and GDPR together create a robust data protection frame, see Figure 2: Comparative overview of NIS2 and GDPR. Everyone focuses on different aspects of security and privacy. Advanced Cisco security solutions help organize the organization to follow a wider regulatory environment.
While GDPR focuses on personal data protection and personal data protection, NIS2 emphasizes the resistance of network and information systems. Their complementary nature allows organizations to synergistize the efforts to comply with regulations and increase the overall management of data and security. By integrating strategies for both organizations can effectively protect data.
Preparation for observance of NIS2
The organization must now focus on practical steps to comply with NIS2 regulations by performing a thorough risk assessment, updating the cyber security policies and robust incident plans. Regular training and awareness programs for employees will be essential for holding a security of security awareness.
In this preparation, Cisco Talos Incident Incident Incidents play a major role and offer advanced threat intelligence and proactive monitoring solutions. These services help identify and solve potential vulnerability. By using the expertise of Talos, organizations can strengthen their attitude of security, in accordance with NIS2 requirements and increase their overall resistance to cyber threats.
NIS2 represents challenges and opportunities for strengthening their posture for cyber security. By organizing innovative CISCOs as Universal ZTNA and Mesh Firewall Solutions, along with TALOS services, get valuable tools to support NIS2 goals. This proactive strategy not only increases cyber resistance, but also helps to meet regulatory requirements.
The next steps
For more information about NIS2 and how Cisco can support your compliance with regulations, explore the following sources:
NIS2 Directive: Challenges for Opportunities
Blog: What is NIS2 and how can you prepare for new Cyber security requirements in the EU?
Blog: Compliance with NIS2 for industrial networks: Are you ready?
Share: