NIS 2 Roadmap
The implementation of the NIS2 Directive is currently presenting many organizations with considerable challenges. The European regulation obliges companies to align their cyber security measures in a much more comprehensive, structured and risk-oriented manner. The NIS2 roadmap published by the German Federal Office for Information Security provides important guidance. This describes six central phases that guide affected companies step by step through implementation – from basic analysis to continuous improvement. The roadmap is intended to enable organizations to clearly define responsibilities, prioritize measures and integrate the requirements into ongoing operations.
The six phases form a systematic model. Phase 1 is about basic analysis and clarification. This includes whether the company falls under the NIS2 Directive, which responsibilities apply and how the regulatory requirements are to be interpreted in principle. Phase 2 is dedicated to the internal organization and responsibilities. This determines who in the company is responsible for implementation and how cyber security tasks are structurally anchored. In phase 3, the current status is determined, i.e. the existing level of security, supplemented by a well-founded risk assessment. Phase 4 involves securing the necessary resources and preparing for the actual implementation. Finally, phase 5 involves the implementation of the central measures, while phase 6 focuses on consolidation and continuous improvement. This last step is important because cyber security is not a one-off measure, but an ongoing process that requires constant adjustments.
The growing need for orientation on the part of many companies is due not least to the regulatory environment. With the transposition of the NIS2 Directive into German law through the NIS2 Implementation Act and the new version of the BSI Act, the number of regulated companies is increasing significantly. Many obligations apply without transitional periods, making it necessary to implement the requirements immediately. In addition, cyber security is explicitly defined as a management task and the responsibility of the management is clearly emphasized. Companies must therefore not only introduce technical measures, but also put their entire security organization on a new, legally compliant footing.
The NIS2 Directive itself is to be applied uniformly throughout Europe and defines high requirements for 18 critical sectors. A special feature of the directive is that not only large organizations are affected, but also smaller companies if they play a critical role in the functioning of an essential service of a member state. The directive significantly tightens the previous requirements: it demands stricter security measures, additional reporting obligations, increased monitoring and improved security in the supply chain. The increased binding nature of the requirements and the EU-wide harmonized sanctions underline the importance of the directive.
For practical implementation, the European Cybersecurity Agency provides supplementary technical recommendations to support companies. Its technical guidelines provide information on the implementation of regulatory requirements in different sectors and provide examples of how evidence can be provided and measures documented. This makes it easier for organizations with complex infrastructures in particular to get started with implementation.
Another practical starting point arises from the possibility of combining NIS2 requirements with established security standards such as ISO 27001 or industry-specific standards. Various specialist sources show that there is extensive overlap between the requirements of the NIS2 directive and established information security management systems. Organizations that already operate an ISMS in accordance with ISO 27001 or are guided by TISAX therefore have a valuable basis. However, the new requirements go further in many areas and require more specific evidence or additional measures, for example in the area of supply chain security, reporting processes or management accountability.
It is precisely at this interface between existing information security management and new regulatory requirements that Syngenity® GmbH supports companies of all sizes and in all sectors. Syngenity® GmbH offers to assess the current security status of a company along the BSI-NIS2 roadmap. This includes the structured assignment of the existing security level to the six phases of the roadmap, the identification of existing gaps and the creation of a prioritized action plan. Such a plan enables companies to meet legal requirements on time and to use resources efficiently.
Syngenity® GmbH also offers the integration of NIS2 requirements into existing security frameworks. Many organizations already have established structures, processes and guidelines. Developing these further instead of starting from scratch is often the most economically sensible and organizationally efficient way. Syngenity® GmbH provides support in expanding existing ISMS structures accordingly, updating responsibilities, mapping additional process requirements and implementing state-of-the-art technical protection measures.
In addition to analysis and planning, Syngenity® GmbH also supports companies in practical implementation. This includes the introduction of technical security measures, the creation or revision of guidelines, the implementation of governance structures, the performance of risk analyses and the establishment of reporting and response processes. Clients benefit from the consultants’ experience in various sectors, including regulated areas in which cyber security and compliance must meet particularly high standards.
The six phases of the BSI roadmap offer a proven structural model. They help companies to tackle typical challenges in a structured manner, be it the initial classification of their own impact, the prioritization of measures or the establishment of a sustainable improvement process. In an environment of increasing regulatory requirements and growing cyber threats, a systematic approach to cyber security represents a significant competitive advantage. Companies that start planning and implementing their NIS2 compliance at an early stage not only reduce the risk of potential sanctions, but also increase their operational resilience.
For organizations that want to understand how NIS2 is changing their structures and processes and how they can meet the requirements efficiently, a non-binding NIS2 check from Syngenity® GmbH offers a suitable introduction. This provides a clear overview of the current status, the need for action and possible approaches for embedding the NIS2 requirements in your own security management. Syngenity® GmbH provides support in establishing cyber security not just as an obligation, but as a strategic success factor.
