Securing Tomorrow: NIS2 Directive Advisory

Introducing Framework 'GUARDIAN' for sustainable, holistic cyber resilience measures.

In the process of modelling a good acronym to understand what measures are mandatory to comply to implement a 'all hazards approach' (Reference NIS2 Article 21, paragraph 2), I am sharing a holistic process framework for your organization to introduce and implement. ?

This framework is applicable for critical and important entities (definition as per NIS2 Directive) and especially advantageous if your organization has not yet begun its journey towards 'holistic cyber resilience' practices.?Those who have begun the journey can also benefit from a course correction to ensure the 'all hazards' approach as defined by NIS2 Directive is thereby ensured.

The NIS2 Article 21 paragraph 2 refers to 'all-hazards approach' that aims to protect network and information systems and the physical environment of those systems from incidents. The framework, I propose is named 'GUARDIAN'. Curious, what it means ??

G - Governance and Risk Analysis:

• Develop and implement policies for comprehensive risk analysis and information system security.

U - Unified Incident Handling:

• Establish robust incident handling procedures to swiftly respond to and mitigate cybersecurity incidents.

A - Assurance of Business Continuity:

• Ensure business continuity through effective backup management, disaster recovery, and crisis management protocols.

R - Resilient Supply Chain Security:

• Strengthen supply chain security by addressing security-related aspects in relationships with direct suppliers or service providers.

D - Development Security:

• Integrate security measures in the acquisition, development, and maintenance of network and information systems, including vulnerability handling and disclosure.

I - Impact Assessment and Effectiveness:

• Formulate policies and procedures to assess the effectiveness of cybersecurity risk-management measures.

A - Adoption of Cyber Hygiene Practices:

• Promote basic cyber hygiene practices and provide comprehensive cybersecurity training to personnel.

N - Network Security:

• Enforce policies and procedures regarding the use of cryptography, encryption, and secure voice, video, and text communications.

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With this framework, one is guaranteed that all aspects included in the NIS2 Directive to implement as minimum required measures are implemented. Conclusively, fostering a resilient cybersecurity stance is not just a goal; it's an ongoing commitment to safeguarding your digital assets in an ever-evolving landscape.

The NIS2 Directive makes it more imperative to begin this journey since the question is not about critical Vs non critical infrastructure asset owners but now with the NIS2 Directive, about critical and important entity owners. Who knows how this definition of important entities expands in the future ? 2-3 year time frame or even earlier. So, why wait to begin with cyber resilience practices?

The 'GUARDIAN' approach empowers you, puts you in the driving seat as a responsible Asset owner to fortify your defenses and proactively navigate the dynamic challenges of the realm of regulatory compliance.

Only with commitment, continuous improvement and cooperation can we continue to stay ahead in our pursuit of cyber protection and relentless resilience. For deeper insights and tailored strategies, there's more to discover and share! As we continue our journey to fortify the digital frontiers, the pursuit of wisdom, and best practices remains paramount. If you are or aren't enthused with this pursuit, do feel free to connect and comment or share your views.