NIS2: Act Quickly for Compliance. How to Avoid Penalties and Reputation Damage

Are you an essential or important entity operating in the sectors covered by the NIS2 directive? Or perhaps, more importantly, you're part of the supply chain servicing these crucial sectors? If so, you certainly can't afford to wait on NIS2 compliance. As an expert legal professional specialized in privacy, data, and information technology law, I want to emphasize the urgent need to proactively align with NIS2 requirements. Here's why you should act now, rather than later.

Complexity and time commitment towards NIS2 compliance

Firstly, understanding and implementing the exhaustive list of security measures, risk management protocols, and reporting guidelines specified in the NIS2 directive is by no means a one-day job. Moreover, these complex requirements often necessitate a tailored approach. This approach requires not just a deep understanding of the law, but also its nuanced application in a technology-driven environment.

Escalating costs of non-compliance

Secondly, failure to comply with NIS2 comes with stringent penalties. For essential entities, fines can be as high as €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover. Likewise, for important entities, the numbers aren't much smaller: up to €7 million or 1.4% of global annual turnover. Furthermore, non-compliance can lead to reputational damage and loss of customers—costs that are harder to quantify but are undeniably devastating.

Expertise and resource allocation

Thirdly, the NIS2 directive demands a high level of expertise in cybersecurity, data protection, and incident response. For many businesses, especially smaller ones, this level of expertise might not be readily available in-house. Therefore, collaborating with a legal professional can help bridge these gaps effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of early compliance with NIS2

Additionally, complying with NIS2 is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s an investment in your business’s long-term security and credibility. Indeed, early compliance boosts your organization's resilience, mitigates the impact of cyber incidents, and can even provide you with a competitive advantage. Specifically, the sooner you comply, the sooner you can demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity to your customers and partners.

Practical Steps to Start Now

To clarify, here are the steps you should consider:

1. Check your Organization's Status: Determine if you're directly or indirectly affected by NIS2.
2. Perform a Risk Assessment: Consider what steps from Article 21 you can implement right away.
3. Seek Expert Help: The sooner you begin the process, the less expensive and more manageable it will be.

What Next?

So, you've recognized the importance of NIS2 compliance; the question now is, how do you proceed? Many of these steps, including navigating through legal complexities, and aligning business processes with the directive, require specialized knowledge. To that end, our services are specifically tailored to help you achieve NIS2 compliance with minimum hassle and maximum efficacy.

Take Action Now

In conclusion, every moment you delay aligning with NIS2 is a missed opportunity to secure your business and strengthen your competitive edge. Without reservation, I recommend you contact us today. Let's put your organization on the path to robust cybersecurity, full compliance, and long-term business success.

Jos van der Wijst