NIS2 Directive: Emerging Obligations and How to Prepare for Them

The NIS2 Directive marks a major milestone in the evolution of cybersecurity in Europe. As security requirements intensify—especially when comparing standards like SOC 2 vs ISO 27001—NIS2 aims to significantly strengthen the resilience of networks and information systems. Understanding the differences between these two key standards is essential to ensure compliance and reinforce your cybersecurity strategy.

In this comprehensive guide, discover exactly what the NIS2 Directive entails, who is affected by the regulation, what new obligations are imposed on businesses, and how to effectively prepare to ensure your compliance.

What Is the NIS2 Directive?

The NIS2 Directive is a substantial update of the original NIS1 Directive adopted in 2016. It came into force on January 16, 2023, harmonizing and strengthening cybersecurity measures across the European Union to address an increasingly sophisticated and persistent cyber threat landscape.

Key dates to remember:

• Entered into force on January 16, 2023.
• Registration with national authorities required by 2025.
• Mandatory compliance no later than 2027 (depending on the country).

The first directive had significant limitations, including a narrow scope and inconsistent application across Member States. NIS2 was designed to address these issues by expanding coverage to more strategic sectors and ensuring uniform application across Europe.

Who Is Affected by the NIS2 Directive?

NIS2 significantly expands the number of entities subject to its requirements. These are divided into two main categories:

Essential Entities Covered by NIS2

These are entities whose security and resilience are deemed vital to the functioning of society and the European economy:

• Transportation (air, maritime, rail, road)
• Financial institutions (banks, financial markets)
• Public health: hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories
• Critical digital infrastructure (data centers, DNS services, Internet exchange point providers)
• Water supply (distribution and wastewater treatment)

Important Entities Covered by NIS2

These sectors play a significant economic role, though disruptions may not have an immediate national security impact:

• Digital services (cloud platforms, marketplaces, e-commerce)
• IT and technology service providers
• Waste management
• Food production and logistics
• Manufacturing sectors essential to national security

New Security Obligations Under NIS2

NIS2 introduces several major new obligations, significantly strengthening cybersecurity management across European businesses.

1. Governance and Risk Management

Companies must now perform thorough and continuous assessments of their cyber risks. These requirements include:

• Regular cybersecurity audits
• Implementation of controls adapted to identified risks
• Proactive management of critical infrastructure
• Network segmentation, strict access controls, and encryption of sensitive data
• Development and regular updating of BCP/DRP plans

2. Cooperation and Transparency

• Mandatory registration with competent national authorities (e.g., ANSSI in France)
• Regular reporting of adopted security measures
• Information sharing on threats and vulnerabilities with authorities and industry peers
• Active participation in European cyber crisis cooperation mechanisms

3. Incident Notification and Penalties

• Continuous and proactive monitoring using advanced tools such as SIEM, SOC, and IDS
• Mandatory reporting of any major incident within 24 hours
• Full, detailed incident report within 72 hours, including corrective actions
• Significant fines in case of non-compliance: up to €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover

How to Effectively Prepare for NIS2

To achieve NIS2 compliance, follow these concrete steps:

1. Initial Audit

Conduct a thorough audit to clearly identify your current vulnerabilities and weaknesses—especially compared to standards like SOC 2 or ISO 27001.

2. Technical Reinforcement

Implement robust, up-to-date security solutions. Regularly integrate advanced technical and operational controls.

3. Documentation and Procedures

Regularly update your internal security policies and clearly document an incident response plan aligned with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 best practices.

4. Ongoing Training

Provide continuous training to raise cyber awareness among your teams, and conduct regular crisis simulations to test their responsiveness.

5. Automation

Use automated technological solutions like Answer Writer to streamline compliance management and track your obligations.

Simplify Your Compliance with Answer Writer

Answer Writer helps you automate and simplify your NIS2 compliance by automatically generating the required documents and reports—accelerating your alignment with standards such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001.

Conclusion: Cybersecurity as a Reinforced Obligation

With NIS2, cybersecurity becomes a regulatory priority in Europe. Companies must now take immediate action to ensure compliance and avoid potentially severe penalties. Making the right choice between SOC 2 and ISO 27001 can also ease the compliance process.

Don’t wait—optimize your cybersecurity today with Answer Writer and protect your organization against growing cyber threats.