NIS2: The Next Wave of European Cybersecurity and the Vital Role of Network Observability

As the European Union (EU) gears up to implement the Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2), organizations across the continent are preparing for a significant shift in cybersecurity regulations. With a focus on bolstering the resilience of essential services and critical infrastructure, NIS2 introduces stricter requirements for risk management, incident reporting, and supply chain security. Amidst these changes, network observability emerges as a crucial tool for compliance and proactive threat detection.

NIS2: A NEW ERA OF CYBERSECURITY

NIS2 is a comprehensive update to the existing NIS Directive, aiming to address the evolving cyber threat landscape and strengthen the EU’s overall cybersecurity posture. Key changes under NIS2 include:

• Expanded Scope: NIS2 applies to a broader range of sectors, including energy, transportation, healthcare, financial services, and digital infrastructure.
• Stricter Requirements: Organizations will be required to implement stricter risk management practices, incident reporting procedures, and supply chain security measures.
• Increased Penalties: Non-compliance with NIS2 can result in significant financial penalties and reputational damage.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORK OBSERVABILITY

Network observability plays a pivotal role in meeting the demands of NIS2. By providing comprehensive visibility into network traffic, performance, and security, organizations can:

• Identify and Mitigate Risks: Network observability enables organizations to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats in real-time, allowing for proactive risk mitigation.
• Streamline Incident Response: In the event of a security incident, network observability helps organizations quickly detect, investigate, and respond to the threat, minimizing damage and downtime.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: By continuously monitoring network activity, organizations can demonstrate compliance with NIS2’s stringent reporting and incident management requirements.
• Enhance Supply Chain Security: Network observability helps organizations monitor the security posture of their supply chain partners, ensuring that they also meet the required standards.

NETWORK OBSERVABILITY TOOLS

A variety of network observability tools are available to help organizations meet the challenges of NIS2. These tools include:

• Network Traffic Analysis (NTA): NTA tools analyze network traffic patterns to identify anomalies and potential threats.
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): IDPS tools monitor network traffic for signs of malicious activity and can take automated actions to block attacks.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM tools collect and correlate security events from various sources, providing a centralized view of the organization’s security posture.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): EDR tools monitor endpoint devices for signs of compromise and can take automated actions to contain threats.

THE FUTURE OF CYBERSECURITY IN EUROPE

NIS2 marks a significant step forward in European cybersecurity. By embracing network observability and investing in the right tools and technologies, organizations can not only meet the requirements of NIS2 but also proactively defend themselves against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

HOW CAN NEOX NETWORKS HELP YOU WITH YOUR NIS2

NEOX NETWORKS can assist you in complying with the NIS2 Directive by providing professional data extraction tools for monitoring, analysis, and security in critical infrastructures. Their solutions ensure a reliable source of network data, which is essential for the continuous monitoring and protection of corporate networks, whether IT or OT. With our expertise, we can offer your organization robust support to meet the comprehensive measures required by the NIS2 Directive.

ENHANCED NETWORK VISIBILITY AND MONITORING:

• Network TAPs: FPGA-based NEOXPacketRaven Network TAPs ensure lossless and, thanks to data diode functionality, unidirectional routing of network traffic in order to make it available to security and monitoring tools.
• Network Packet Brokers (NPBs): NEOX NETWORKS’ NPBs are responsible to provide analysis and monitoring systems with all data streams of the Network TAPs or other data sources distributed in the network, reliably and aggregated. Using dedicated ASIC hardware, which is used in every NPB, both simple and complicated filter rules can be created to ensure an optimized data flow towards the analysis systems.
• Network Traffic Analysis (NTA): NEOX NETWORKS’ NTA solutions provide deep insights into network traffic, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis. This helps organizations identify anomalies, suspicious activities, and potential security breaches, which is crucial for early threat detection and incident response under NIS2.
• Network Monitoring Solutions: NEOX NETWORKS provides network monitoring solutions that collect and analyze network data in real-time. These solutions offer insights into network performance, bandwidth utilization, latency, and other critical metrics, helping organizations identify and troubleshoot network issues quickly.

SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY:

• Network Segmentation: NEOX NETWORKS can help organizations implement network segmentation, creating isolated zones within the network to limit the spread of threats and protect critical assets. This is particularly important for managing supply chain risks, as NIS2 emphasizes the need to secure interconnected systems and services.

COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION:

• Data Recording and Retention: NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions enable organizations to record and retain network traffic data for compliance and forensic purposes. This ensures that organizations can meet regulatory requirements for data retention and provide evidence in case of security incidents.

IMPROVED NETWORK PERFORMANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING

• Application Performance Monitoring (APM): NEOX NETWORKS’ APM solutions monitor the performance of critical applications and services running on the network. This helps organizations identify bottlenecks, optimize application performance, and ensure a smooth user experience.
• Network Forensics: In case of a security incident or network outage, NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions can provide detailed forensic data to help investigators understand the root cause and identify the responsible parties.

CALL TO ACTION

As the implementation of NIS2 approaches, it is crucial for organizations to assess their cybersecurity posture and invest in network observability solutions. By doing so, they can ensure compliance, protect their critical assets, and maintain the trust of their customers and stakeholders.