As a business owner, it helps to know what the Network and Information (NIS) Directive is. But then, you shouldn’t panic if you aren’t aware of it because you are not alone. Many people, including business owners, don’t know the NIS directive and its requirements, but it’s not too late to learn about it.
If you own a business in any of the EU’s member states and have a cybersecurity team in place, you need to be familiar with this as your vendor should be compliant. It is a directive brought to boost cybersecurity in the European Union. The NIS directive’s primary focus is on strengthening cybersecurity.
This article will discuss what the NIS Directive is and why your cybersecurity vendor should follow it.
Let’s get into it.
What Is the NIS Directive?
Understanding the NIS directive is the first step to complying with it. Well, as said before, it is a directive on the security of networks and information systems. It was issued by the European Union to ensure the safety of service users within its area of jurisdiction.
Thus, the NIS Directive mainly targets OES or operators of essential services and DSPs or digital service providers. It has a set of security requirements that these businesses must follow. The NIS directive refers to a wide range of companies from various industries that fall under these two categories.
OES businesses include water, electricity, and telecommunication companies. It also includes pharmaceutical, heating, medical companies, and some public sector entities.
While digital service providers cover the cybersecurity industry. If you hired or are planning to hire a cybersecurity team, ensure that they are following this. NIS Directive compliance is essential as it is one of the requirements to legally operate as a cybersecurity firm. It also helps you determine if the cybersecurity team can provide reliable services.
Why Should Your Cybersecurity Vendor Follow It
Let us further talk about why your cybersecurity vendor must comply with the NIS Directive.
Legal Compliance
As already mentioned, the NIS Directive compliance is legally mandated. All firms and businesses that fall under the two said categories must comply and accomplish all requirements. Noncompliance with the NIS Directive can result in repercussions.
This means that if your current cybersecurity provider is not NIS Directive compliant, their operations are not legal. As a business, transacting with these kinds of providers may possess risks to your operations as well.
High-Quality Services
A DSP is only considered as NIS Directive compliant when they have accomplished the requirements and met the standards set in place. This means that DSPs will be forced to up their game and provide services that meet the standard cybersecurity requirements to be tagged as NIS Directive compliant.
Has Access to a Wide Network
Another reason why your cybersecurity vendor should comply with NIS Directives is that this connects them to a wider range of networks. Even if the NIS is of European legislation, it can be applied globally. It also applies to US companies that are operating in EU member states.
Therefore, a vendor who is compliant has access to updated technology and professionals in the field.
Software Needed For NIS Compliance
Technology vendors play a vital role in helping businesses become NIS compliant. They can provide your business with cutting-edge technology that will boost your security. Let’s look into the top four kinds of software you can use to enhance your safety and NIS compliance.
- Antivirus/endpoint protection – All your mobile devices, computers, servers, etc., need endpoint protection. It closes security holes that criminals could use to send malware to your system or launch ransomware attacks. There’re various antivirus solutions available in the market today.
- Security information and event management – The ability to manage your security from a central point can help you boost your security. A unified security system is easy to manage and track. It is easy to set up an automated threat detection and response system with such technology.
- Email Security Gateways – Email phishing and other email-related threats have cost many businesses. Thus, having an email security solution can help you enhance your business’s cybersecurity. It will help detect emails from suspicious addresses and malicious attachments.
- Next-Generation Firewall – You can also take your security a notch higher by investing in a firewall that provides more than basic security. An ideal pick should have intrusion detection, SQL injection protection, and many other unique features. It will be a significant boost to your safety.
Selecting the Right Technology Vendor
As rightly said, you are as safe as your weakest link. Businesses today do not operate as single entities. The internet has made it possible for a company to have an interconnected network. This includes a variety of third-party vendors and providers of essential services.
Businesses use technology devices to communicate with their partners. However, a weak link in this network can turn costly for a business. And, recovering from it will require a lot of time and effort. Research shows that 60% of small businesses close after suffering severe cyber attacks.
That’s why it’s vital to close down all potential security loopholes on your network. One of them is to ensure you work with reputable cybersecurity technology vendors. Working with a non-compliant vendor could expose you to minor flaws that could turn costly.
But then, you should note that a vendor’s NIS compliance won’t guarantee you safety. You also need to demonstrate security consciousness by investing in your security. Also, you should have a policy that will ensure that your overall business meets regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
That’s everything you should know regarding NIS directive compliance. As a business owner, you should review your business’s cybersecurity to establish if you’re operating within the NIS directives. This will ensure you avoid consequences of non-compliance that include getting fined.
The EU also indicates that operators of essential services and digital service providers also need to comply. Thus, your business should work with providers who’ve complied with these directives. Take your time to find a NIS directive compliant vendor to be on the safe side.
