NIS2 Compliance Demands- What Skills Your Organization Needs Now
As EU cybersecurity directives evolve in the face of increasingly complex and frequent threats, it's critical organizations develop the right skills and expertise to meet them.
One such example is the Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2), designed to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure and improve incident response capabilities.
For organizations in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance, and digital infrastructure, compliance with NIS2 is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s a necessity to safeguard operations and maintain trust.
This blog explores the key skills needed to achieve NIS2 compliance and how organizations can prepare their workforce.
What is NIS2?
NIS2 builds on 2016’s original Network and Information Security Directive.
It aims to address evolving threats and vulnerabilities, with primary objectives including improving cybersecurity resilience, ensuring timely incident reporting, and enhancing risk management practices.
It applies to a wide range of sectors, including energy, healthcare, finance, transportation, digital infrastructure, and public administration.
Organizations within these sectors are required to implement robust cybersecurity measures, report significant incidents within 24 hours, and demonstrate compliance through regular audits.
Non-compliance with NIS2 can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to 2% of an organization’s global turnover.
The key skill areas impacted by NIS2
To meet the demands of NIS2, organizations must focus on three primary skill areas: technical, legal, and organizational.
Technical skills
NIS2 places a strong emphasis on technical expertise to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. Key technical skills include:
Cybersecurity expertise: Threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management to protect critical systems.
Network security and system hardening: Skills in securing networks, hardening systems, and implementing access controls are essential for reducing attack surfaces.
Security frameworks: Knowledge of frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST is crucial for aligning cybersecurity practices with industry standards.
Certifications to consider: Certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, and CASP+ validate technical skills and demonstrate readiness to meet NIS2 requirements.
Legal skills
Understanding the legal and regulatory aspects of NIS2 is equally important. Organizations must ensure compliance with the directive’s requirements while navigating overlapping regulations like GDPR. Key legal skills include:
Compliance knowledge: Understanding NIS2 obligations including incident reporting and risk management requirements.
Documentation skills: Drafting and maintaining compliance documentation is critical for audits and regulatory reviews.
Data protection expertise: Knowledge of data protection laws and their intersection with NIS2 ensures organizations can manage sensitive information securely.
Organizational skills
Effective governance and risk management are at the heart of NIS2 compliance. Organizations must develop and implement policies, procedures, and training programs to foster a culture of cybersecurity. Key organizational skills include:
Risk management: Expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks is essential for protecting critical assets.
Policy development: Professionals must be skilled in creating and enforcing cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Incident response: Coordinating incident response efforts and ensuring timely reporting are critical for minimizing the impact of cyber incidents.
Employee training: Raising awareness and providing training for employees helps build a security-conscious workforce.
Why upskilling is critical for NIS2 compliance
The risks of non-compliance with NIS2 are significant, ranging from financial penalties to reputational damage and operational disruptions. However, achieving compliance is no small feat, especially given the growing cybersecurity skills gap. Many organizations struggle to find qualified professionals with the expertise needed to meet regulatory demands.
Upskilling is essential to bridge this gap and ensure compliance. Continuous learning and certifications enable professionals to stay ahead of evolving threats and adapt to new regulatory requirements. Certifications also provide a tangible way to validate skills, giving organizations confidence in their workforce’s ability to meet NIS2 demands.
How CompTIA can help your organization meet NIS2 demands
CompTIA offers certifications and training resources covering technical, legal and organisational skills designed to align with NIS2 requirements:
CompTIA Security+: This foundational certification covers essential cybersecurity skills, including threat detection, risk management, and incident response.
CompTIA CySA+: Focused on advanced threat detection and response, CySA+ is ideal for professionals responsible for monitoring and securing networks.
CompTIA PenTest+: This certification validates expertise in penetration testing and vulnerability management, helping organizations identify and address security weaknesses.
CompTIA also provides training resources, labs, and tools to help organizations upskill their teams and gain hands-on experience.
By investing in CompTIA certifications, organizations can validate their workforce’s skills and demonstrate compliance readiness. You can explore in more detail how CompTIA can help by reviewing our global skills directives mappings.
Building a NIS2-ready workforce
Preparing for NIS2 compliance requires a proactive approach to workforce development. Organizations can take the following steps to build a NIS2-ready workforce:
Skills gap analysis: Identify areas where your team lacks the expertise needed to meet NIS2 requirements.
Invest in training and certifications: Provide employees with access to training programs and certifications that align with their roles and responsibilities.
Foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness: Encourage employees at all levels to prioritize cybersecurity and participate in training programs.
Engage leadership: Leadership plays a crucial role in driving compliance initiatives and supporting upskilling efforts.
By taking these steps, organizations can ensure they have the skills and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of NIS2 compliance.