What is the NIS 2 Directive in the EU and how does it impact cybersecurity practices?

TL;DR: The NIS 2 Directive is the EU’s updated cybersecurity law requiring essential and important entities to adopt robust security practices across supply chains, operations, and governance—with direct alignment to core cybersecurity domains.

As outlined in the 6clicks expert guide Mastering the Cybersecurity Domain in 2025, the Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS 2) is a significant evolution of Europe’s cyber regulation landscape. Enforced across all EU member states, it expands the original NIS Directive and raises the bar for cyber risk management and incident response among critical infrastructure providers and digital service operators.

The directive, effective from 2024, introduces stronger security requirements, governance obligations, and enforcement powers, including substantial penalties for non-compliance.

Who must comply?

Organizations categorized as:

• Essential entities (e.g., energy, transport, health, banking, water, space)

• Important entities (e.g., food production, postal services, manufacturing of critical products, digital providers)

These organizations must adopt state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures and report significant incidents within 24 hours.

How NIS 2 maps to core domains:

• Security and risk management – mandate for board-level accountability and risk ownership

• Security operations – continuous monitoring and response readiness

• IAM & access control – required for all critical systems

• Third-party risk management – extended obligations for supply chain resilience

• Governance and reporting – structured incident notification and audit readiness

Why NIS 2 matters in 2025

The Directive reflects a major shift in how cybersecurity is regulated in Europe:

• Expanded scope: covers more sectors and suppliers

• Tougher penalties: up to €10 million or 2% of global turnover

• Cross-border harmonization: consistent standards across EU states

• Strategic alignment: encourages adoption of frameworks like NIST, ISO, and ENISA guidance

Compliance with NIS 2 isn’t just legal—it’s a competitive advantage in a trust-driven digital economy.

Need to prepare for NIS 2 compliance across your EU operations?
Book a demo with 6clicks today to explore how our platform maps your security controls to NIS 2 requirements, automates reporting, and manages third-party risk across your digital supply chain.