Cyberattacks and digital incidents are becoming more frequent, with increasingly serious consequences. To help organizations prepare, the European Union introduced the NIS2 Directive, a key piece of legislation aimed at improving cybersecurity across sectors.
But what exactly is NIS2, and what does it mean for your organization?
What Is the NIS2 Directive?
NIS2 stands for Network and Information Security Directive 2. It’s an EU-wide regulation designed to increase the resilience of public and private organizations against digital threats like hacking, ransomware, and data breaches.
The goal? Stronger protection of Europe’s critical infrastructure, digital services, and sensitive data.
Why 10 Measures, and What Do They Mean?
The directive outlines 10 core security measures. While they may seem general at first glance, together they form a comprehensive cybersecurity framework that every NIS2-covered organization must implement and document.
Even companies that don’t fall under NIS2 directly may still be affected via their supply chain (see Measure 4), which requires that vendors and partners comply with similar security standards.
The 10 NIS2 Measures Explained
Here’s what your organization needs to understand and implement:
- Risk Analysis & Risk Management
Identify and assess risks, then take proactive steps to manage and reduce them. - Incident Response
Create clear procedures for handling cyber incidents quickly and effectively. - Business Continuity
Ensure operations can continue during major disruptions via backups and recovery plans. - Supply Chain Security
Monitor and manage the cybersecurity practices of third-party suppliers and partners. - Secure Development and System Maintenance
Build security into IT from day one — including secure coding, patching, and updates. - Security Policies and Procedures
Establish clear rules and ensure staff understand and follow them. - Identity and Access Management (Including MFA)
Use strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication to restrict access. - Vulnerability Management
Keep systems up-to-date with patches to eliminate known security flaws. - Monitoring, Logging, and Detection
Continuously monitor systems and detect unusual activity as early as possible. - Use of Cryptography
Encrypt sensitive data to protect it from unauthorized access.
Why These Measures Matter
NIS2 compliance isn’t optional, it’s mandatory. But it also brings significant benefits:
✔ Stronger protection against cyberattacks
✔ Improved readiness for audits and certifications
✔ Alignment with other legal requirements like the GDPR (e.g. personal data protection)
Implementing these measures creates a layered defense — and shows regulators, clients, and partners that your organization takes cybersecurity seriously.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait, Secure Your Organization Today
The NIS2 Directive offers a clear structure to strengthen your digital defenses. Whether you’re directly covered by the law or indirectly affected via the supply chain, implementing these 10 measures is critical to securing your operations.
📍 Want help putting NIS2 into action? RealCob helps you assess, implement, and track all 10 measures, automatically and without legal complexity.