NIS2 Security Regulations Went Into Effect October 17: What You Need to Know.

The NIS2 Directive, a substantial upgrade to the European Union’s cybersecurity regulations, officially went into effect on October 17, 2024. Expanding on the original 2016 Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive, NIS2 aims to bolster cybersecurity measures and standardize practices across critical and important sectors. In order to comply with the fast-approaching  deadline, organizations need to quickly take concrete steps to enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure, focusing on areas such as Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and granular network segmentation. 

Below, please find a detailed overview of what these regulations mean for your organization’s security infrastructure.

The Evolution of NIS2: Why It Matters

The NIS Directive of 2016 laid the initial groundwork for strengthening cybersecurity across the EU’s critical infrastructure. However, inconsistencies in implementation – and the fast-evolving nature of cyber threats – revealed the need for a more comprehensive framework. NIS2 introduces enhanced requirements for incident reporting, risk management, and supply chain security, while at the same time holding organizations to stricter accountability standards. Showing compliance with NIS2 by October 17th is crucial for organizations to avoid penalties and operational risks.

Strengthening Network Security Infrastructure

One of the cornerstone requirements of NIS2 is reinforcing network security infrastructure. This involves adopting advanced technologies and methodologies, including NGFWs, SASE, and detailed network segmentation. Here’s a closer look at these components and how they support NIS2 compliance.

• NGFWs: A Critical Line of Defense

NIS2 emphasizes that organizations need advanced network protection, far beyond what traditional firewalls offer. NGFWs are designed to deliver sophisticated security capabilities tailored to today’s complex threat landscape.

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

Traditional firewalls inspect only the header information of data packets, focusing on basic rules such as source/destination IP addresses and port numbers. However, NGFWs perform DPI, scrutinizing the entire content of packets, including payloads, to detect malicious activities and prevent data breaches. For example, an NGFW can identify malicious content within encrypted HTTPS traffic, a common attack vector used in sophisticated cyberattacks like malware injection or command-and-control (C2) communications.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) Integration

NGFWs come integrated with IPS, which provides advanced threat detection. IPS monitors network traffic for suspicious behavior, such as SQL injection attempts or anomalous application usage, and can automatically block detected threats. For instance, an IPS can identify a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack and immediately take action by rate-limiting the traffic or isolating the malicious IP addresses.

Application-Level Control

One of the key compliance requirements of NIS2 is strict access control, particularly at the application level. NGFWs provide granular control over applications, enabling organizations to define specific policies based on the type of application and user identity. For example, NGFWs can be configured to block social media access while allowing critical business applications, mitigating the risks associated with shadow IT and unauthorized data sharing. This application awareness is crucial for protecting sensitive information within a network, as it aligns with NIS2’s requirements for data confidentiality and integrity.

Integrated Threat Intelligence and Sandboxing

NGFWs incorporate real-time threat intelligence feeds to update their defense mechanisms with the latest information on global threats. They also support sandboxing, which is the isolation of suspicious files or code within a secure environment in order to analyze their behavior before allowing them into the network. For example, if an email attachment is flagged as potentially malicious, the NGFW can detonate the file in a sandbox to check for malicious activities such as ransomware behavior.

• SASE: Modernizing Network Security

As remote work and cloud services become the norm, NIS2 requires organizations to secure distributed network environments. SASE solutions integrate security functions such as Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) with wide-area networking (WAN) capabilities. This integration helps ensure that all traffic, whether from on-premise or remote users, passes through robust security checks.

ZTNA

SASE solutions leverage ZTNA principles, where no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of their location. Each access request is verified based on identity, device posture, and context. For example, a remote worker attempting to access sensitive data would be required to undergo multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device compliance checks before being granted access. This dynamic, context-aware access answers NIS2’s requirement for robust access control measures.

Network Traffic Encryption and Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

SASE employs strong encryption protocols (e.g., TLS 1.3) to secure all data in transit, making it difficult for attackers to intercept or tamper with the information. Additionally, SASE solutions often come equipped with DLP capabilities that monitor data movement across the network, identifying and blocking unauthorized data transfers. For example, if an employee tries to upload a sensitive file to a public cloud service, the SASE’s DLP mechanism can block the transfer and alert security teams.

• Granular Network Segmentation: Containing Breaches and Minimizing Impact

NIS2 emphasizes the need to limit the impact of security breaches through comprehensive network segmentation. This involves dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments to contain potential threats.

Micro-Segmentation

NIS2 encourages micro-segmentation, where individual applications or workloads are isolated at a granular level within the network. For example, database servers containing customer information are placed in a separate segment with strict access controls, distinct from web servers handling general traffic. Micro-segmentation can be implemented using software-defined networking (SDN) technologies, which allow for dynamic policy enforcement based on real-time conditions, further enhancing the network’s defense mechanisms.

Dynamic Segmentation with NGFWs and SASE

Advanced NGFWs and SASE solutions support dynamic segmentation, where network policies adapt automatically based on real-time context. For instance, when an IoT device such as a smart camera connects to the network, it is automatically placed in an isolated segment with restricted access, limiting its communication to only necessary systems. Similarly, when a remote user connects to the network, they are placed in a segment based on their role, location, and the security posture of their device. This dynamic approach not only meets NIS2’s stringent requirements for risk management, but also provides flexibility in adapting to changing network conditions and threats.

Preparing for NIS2 Compliance: Taking the Next Steps

Achieving compliance with NIS2 requires a well-defined strategy, including upgrading to NGFWs, adopting SASE solutions, and implementing granular segmentation. These actions strengthen your network security infrastructure to meet the directive’s comprehensive standards, while at the same time helping your organization establish a robust cybersecurity posture that’s capable of defending against future threats.

Learn More About NIS2 Compliance

To gain a deeper understanding of NIS2 compliance and how to enhance your organization’s network security infrastructure, please visit tufin.com. Our experts can provide tailored solutions and guidance to help you align with NIS2’s requirements, ensuring your organization is well-prepared for the upcoming changes.