What is NIS2? NIS 2 Directive? Guide to EC-Council Certifications mapped to Nis2

November 21, 2024

| Ethical Hacking

In today’s highly connected world, safeguarding essential infrastructure and digital services has become more important than ever. As cyber threats grow in complexity, the strategies and regulations aimed at reducing these risks must evolve accordingly. The European Union’s NIS2 Directive introduces a strengthened cybersecurity framework, enhancing defenses across various sectors through legal provisions. Let’s explore the topic in more detail.

What is Nis2?

The Network & Information Security Directive (NIS2) was signed by both EU co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, on 14 December 2022, and the Member States have time until 17 October 2024 to transpose its measures into national law.

The Directive aims to build cybersecurity capabilities across the European Union, mitigate threats to network and information systems used to provide essential services in key sectors and ensure the continuity of such services when facing incidents, thus contributing to the Union’s security and the effective functioning of its economy and society. It outlines stringent requirements for both public and private organizations to improve the cybersecurity posture of critical sectors across the EU, ensuring a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union.

NIS2 was officially adopted by both the EU co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on December 14, 2022. The Member States have until October 17, 2024, to transpose its measures into national law.

160K+

Estimated companies affected by NIS2

€10MM

Maximum fine for NIS2 non-compliance

15

Number of sectors covered by NIS2 Directive

Source: NIS2 Directive

Impact on Organizations

The NIS2 Directive brings both challenges and opportunities for organizations, requiring them to elevate their cybersecurity posture to meet the new standards. This affects various aspects of how businesses operate and manage their security. The overall impact revolves around:

Operational Changes: Companies will need to adopt new procedures and technologies to meet the directive’s requirements, potentially leading to significant changes in operational processes.

Increased Accountability: NIS2 imposes greater accountability on senior management, who must ensure that cybersecurity is integrated into the organizational strategy and that compliance is maintained.

Risk of Penalties: Non-compliance with NIS2 can result in substantial fines, making it crucial for organizations to prioritize adherence to the directive.

Enhanced Security: While the directive poses challenges, it also benefits organizations by encouraging stronger cybersecurity practices, which can protect against the rising number of cyber threats and reduce the potential for damaging incidents.

Learn more at NIS2 Directive | Prepare Your Organization Now

“We must bolster the collective resilience of the critical systems underpinning our way of life.”

Michael Šimečka
Member of the European Parliament
(Source)

“This European directive is going to help around 160,000 entities tighten their grip on security.”

Bart Groothuis
Member of the European Parliament
(Source)

How Can EC-Council Help You with Your NIS2 Compliance?

Essential entities must comply with NIS2 by implementing appropriate and proportional technical, operational, and organizational measures to protect their networks, information systems, and physical infrastructure against incidents.

EC-Council’s certifications align with NIS2 baseline measures and are tailored to different roles, from entry-level to senior leadership, ensuring employees gain the necessary expertise for compliance. These certifications equip organizations to handle key tasks such as risk analysis, incident management, and business continuity planning—critical components of NIS2 compliance—while also helping organizations strengthen cybersecurity and avoid non-compliance penalties.

The table below maps EC-Council’s certifications to NIS2, helping organizations choose the appropriate certifications based on staff roles and experience.

	EC-Council Certifications Mapped to NIS2 Directive
NIS2 Directive - Cybersecurity Risk-Management Baseline Measures
	Knowledge Workers	Cyber Technicians	Core Technical Work Roles	Technical Specialized Work Roles	Cyber Leadership
	No experience required	0 - 2 years	More than 2 years	More than 2 years	5 years or more
(a) Policies on risk analysis and information system security	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT	C\|ND		C\|CISO
(b) A plan for handling security incidents	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, S\|CE, T\|IE, D\|FE, C\|SE	C\|ND	E\|CIH, C\|SA, C\|CSE, C\|HFI, C\|TIA	C\|CISO
(c) Business continuity, such as backup management and disaster recovery, and crisis management	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, N\|DE, C\|SE	C\|ND	E\|DRP, C\|CSE	C\|CISO
(d) Supply chain security, including security-related aspects concerning the relationships between each entity and its direct suppliers or service providers	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, E\|HE, N\|DE, T\|IE, D\|SE	C\|ND, C\|EH	C\|EH Practical, C\|PENT, E\|CDE, C\|TIA, W\|AHS	C\|CISO
(e) Security in network and information systems acquisition, development and maintenance, including vulnerability handling and disclosure	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, E\|HE, N\|DE, I\|SE, D\|SE, C\|SE	C\|ND, C\|EH	C\|EH Practical, C\|PENT, C\|CSE, E\|CDE, W\|AHS	C\|CISO
(f) Policies and procedures to assess the effectiveness of cybersecurity risk-management measures	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, E\|HE, N\|DE	C\|ND, C\|EH	C\|EH Practical, C\|PENT, W\|AHS	C\|CISO
(g) Basic cyber hygiene practices and cybersecurity training	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, E\|HE, D\|FE, N\|DE, T\|IE, C\|SE, S\|CE, D\|SE, I\|SE	C\|ND, C\|EH	C\|EH Practical	C\|CISO
(h) Policies and procedures regarding the use of cryptography and, where appropriate, encryption	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT, E\|CES	C\|ND, C\|EH	C\|EH Practical	C\|CISO
(i) Human resources security, access control policies and asset management	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT	C\|ND		C\|CISO
(j) The use of multi-factor authentication or continuous authentication solutions, secured voice, video and text communications and secured emergency communication systems within the entity, where appropriate	C\|SCU Aware	C\|CT	C\|ND		C\|CISO

Requirements for Compliance with NIS2

Organizations covered by the directive must adhere to its regulations; those that do not comply may face severe repercussions, including substantial fines and corrective actions. Therefore, to comply, organizations must fulfill a range of requirements which include:

Implementing Security Measures: Organizations need to implement relevant technical and organizational measures to manage cybersecurity risks. These measures should be based on risk assessment outcomes and revised regularly to address new threats.
Reporting Incidents: Organizations should report significant cyber incidents to competent authorities within set timeframes based on their severity. The report must provide comprehensive details about the incident, its effects, and the corrective actions implemented to address it.
Ensuring Supply Chain Security: Supplier enterprises also need to assess their vendors’ cybersecurity practices and ensure that third-party vendors follow similar high standards. This entails regularly auditing supplier security practices and assessments.
Responsibility and Accountability: Top management should be on the frontline in managing cybersecurity activities in the company. This entails developing distinct functions for information security and providing sufficient finance to counter attacks.
Education and Sensitization: Companies must educate their employees on cybercrime so that they know how to protect themselves from the latest threats and mitigate them.

Preparing for NIS2 Compliance

As regulatory emphasis on cybersecurity continues to grow, it is crucial for organizations to take proactive steps to comply with the NIS2 Directive. Below are the essential steps to guide organizations through the process:

Execute a Risk Analysis: Start by executing a detailed risk analysis to uncover possible cybersecurity dangers and vulnerabilities. The evaluation should include a comprehensive review of the entire supply chain as well as an examination of internal security practices.
Implement Security Measures: Depending on the result of the risk assessment, appropriate technical and organizational measures should be taken to manage cybersecurity risks. This may involve adopting new technologies and implementing best practices.
Establish an Incident Response Strategy: It is vital to formulate a comprehensive incident response strategy that specifies the actions required when facing a cybersecurity incident. This should include procedures for notifying authorities of incidents and mitigating their negative outcomes.
Correspond with Suppliers: Collaborate with suppliers to ensure that they adhere to the same high cybersecurity standards. This might involve periodic audits and appraisals of the suppliers’ security methodologies.
Provide Training and Awareness: Regularly train all staff members on cyber security, helping them understand threats from recent attacks and the most effective means of averting such occurrences.

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The NIS2 Directive stands out as a crucial framework that strengthens cybersecurity for essential and digital service providers. By adhering to NIS2 standards, organizations can enhance their security measures and become more resilient against upcoming cyberthreats.