NIS2 and Microsoft Security as the Key to Effective Cyber Defense

It might seem that the concept of the European security directive NIS2 is currently one of the main topics for businesses and institutions across Europe. From our experience in companies, we can confirm the recent survey by the consulting group Moore Czech Republic. The new legislation will affect thousands of companies in the Czech Republic in various sectors, but awareness about it is still very low.

The new directive is set to take effect in mid-2025. Does it affect you too? What does it entail? And how can you prepare for it in time and easily?

Go through the most important information. How and why can Microsoft Security tools best assist you with this? Many of them are already available within your subscription. We will help you get to know them, set them up, and use them to always comply with security legislation.

However, do not hesitate to contact us immediately if you prefer to have everything explained directly to your company rather than read on.

What is NIS2 and why should you care about it?

The NIS regulations are designed to protect the cyber environment of companies and organizations across Europe. In reality, this is not a new topic. Officially named Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and Council, it was adopted by the European Union in 2016 as a foundation for ensuring a high level of network and information system security across member states.

The current NIS2 directive deepens and expands this security framework. What impact will it have on Czech businesses and organizations? Do not panic. As stated by NÚKIB (National Cyber and Information Security Agency), the Czech Republic already has a well-developed Cybersecurity Act, and many of the changes presented within NIS2 are in line with it.

The validity of the directive does not mean that entities falling within its scope must immediately start complying with all its regulations. You still have time to consult the current state of your company’s security and implement necessary measures. We will help you comply with NIS2.

The goal is clear: to strengthen cybersecurity and increase resilience in response to the growing number of cyberattacks. Ransomware, phishing, and other sophisticated hacker methods threaten critical infrastructure, companies, and the public sector. The directive brings stricter requirements for risk management, data security, and incident reporting.

Reasons for adopting the NIS2 directive:

• Business continuity and supplier security – companies not compliant with NIS2 may be excluded from business contracts with entities requiring stricter security measures.
• Customer and partner trust – insufficient data protection can lead to reputation loss, decreased competitiveness, and disrupted business relationships.
• Overview of your IT security and resilience against hackers – adopting NIS2 measures aims to improve and simplify incident reporting obligations and enhance your security monitoring, threat detection, and response capabilities.
• Operational and financial impacts – cyber incidents can have disastrous consequences for your company. Security aims to prevent IT system outages, data loss, and high recovery expenses.
• Legal and financial sanctions – companies required to comply with NIS2 without implementing necessary measures may face severe consequences, including hefty fines and legal liability for management.

How to prepare for NIS2 with Microsoft Security tools

Proceed systematically step by step from assessing your current security level, through implementing necessary measures, maintaining compliance, educating employees, to collaborating with other entities within the supply chain.

How to do it?

1. Find out whether and to what extent NIS2 applies to you

Go through the categories of organizations required to comply with the NIS2 directive. These are primarily entities from critical infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, IT, finance, and other strategic sectors. What is crucial for you is the specific conditions that apply to your company, such as incident reporting or stricter risk management measures.

If you’re unsure, a security audit will provide clear answers.

2. Start analyzing your current level of cybersecurity

We recommend thoroughly mapping your company’s IT infrastructure, identifying key assets, and assessing the current security level. Focus especially on protecting sensitive data, access policies, encryption, and identity management. This process should also include evaluating existing security measures concerning other standards, such as GDPR. Here, you can utilize solutions like Microsoft Purview.

For a comprehensive IT security analysis, our specialized Cloud and Security Consulting team is available to assist you.

3. Implement measures for managing cyber risks

After the analysis, what’s next? Step by step, focus on security management. Start with stricter security standards, such as the Zero Trust model for ensuring verification of all access to company data and systems. Other key steps include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strengthening mobile device management. Gain control over other user-owned devices, known as Shadow IT, which may access your corporate IT environment.

We can recommend suitable tools from the Microsoft Security product range, such as Microsoft Entra for access management and multi-factor authentication. Ask us.

4. Focus on monitoring and rapid incident response

A key requirement of NIS2 is your company’s ability to monitor security incidents in real-time and ensure a quick response. It is necessary to implement solutions for SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response). This will enable you to detect suspicious activities and automate responses to security threats.

Advanced threat monitoring, analysis, and rapid response capabilities in line with NIS regulations are provided by tools like Microsoft Sentinel. Explore the tools from the Microsoft Security family. We are happy to assist you.

5. Strengthen security in the supply chain

NIS2 extends the responsibility of companies to their supply chain relationships. Therefore, you should also have verified the security settings of your key partners. They too must comply with the directive’s requirements. This includes regular audits, security agreements, and clearly defined cybersecurity requirements within business relationships.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud can help protect your cloud infrastructure and ensure compliance with security standards. Ask us how to gain strong control over cybersecurity in your supply chain and business collaboration.

6. Educate employees and management on cybersecurity

An important part of your company’s cybersecurity is ensuring that everyone in your IT environment acts informed and responsibly. Train employees and executives to recognize cyber threats, handle data, and sensitive documents securely, and reliably adhere to security policies.

You can also benefit from phishing attack simulations and testing employee responses. This will help identify weak points and strengthen your corporate security culture. We recommend using tools like Microsoft Attack Simulator to test employee readiness and increase their awareness of cyber threats.

You can also join our series of online Microsoft Security workshops that guide you through key areas of security and data protection in the Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments.

Ask us about security training for your team.

7. Don’t forget about monitoring and reporting security incidents

The NIS2 directive also requires ensuring measures for established processes for reporting security incidents. Here too, you can save yourself the trouble by implementing the right measures, tools, and continuous monitoring in compliance with regulations.

Setting up and overseeing NIS2 compliance can heavily burden your IT department, which has other areas to attend to. We recommend involving external cybersecurity experts. We will walk you and your technicians through everything necessary. We will assist you with implementing the necessary tools, setting them up, and monitoring in compliance with NIS2. Contact us.

How to comply with NIS2 with Microsoft Security

The NIS2 directive emphasizes comprehensive cybersecurity, risk management, and corporate data protection. Microsoft Security product technologies provide integrated tools for preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats. Review the most important ones:

• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint protects your corporate devices from cyberattacks such as ransomware and malware, enabling rapid threat detection and elimination.
• Microsoft Entra provides secure identity and access management, supports multi-factor authentication (MFA), and limits unauthorized access to corporate systems.
• Microsoft Purview enables efficient classification and protection of sensitive data. It helps you comply with NIS2, GDPR, and other regulations.
• Microsoft Priva helps manage risks related to personal data protection and facilitates consent management and access to sensitive information.
• Microsoft Sentinel is a modern SIEM/SOAR solution for monitoring, threat detection, and automating responses to security incidents.
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud protects your corporate cloud infrastructure. It allows real-time threat monitoring and supports compliance with security policies.
• Microsoft Intune helps manage corporate mobile devices and applications, ensuring data protection even on remote devices. It also allows remote wiping in case of loss.
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365 protects email communications and collaboration in Microsoft 365 from attacks like phishing, malware, and more.
• Microsoft Attack Simulator tests employee readiness through attack simulations and helps raise awareness of security threats.
• Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager manages monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements, provides you with an overview of NIS2 or GDPR compliance, and suggests additional suitable security measures.

Prepare for NIS2 with Microsoft Security and Konica Minolta IT Solutions Czech

To ensure compliance with NIS2, you will need to combine various tools and tailor them to your organization’s specific needs. The range of Microsoft Security products and services is a comprehensive solution providing everything necessary for automating security processes, better risk management, and effective corporate data protection.

We will gladly walk you through each step and recommend what is best for you. Utilize expert services from our specialized security team for implementing the mentioned tools, setup, management, and monitoring. Ensure compliance with NIS2 and other legislation with us while simultaneously strengthening your overall cyber resilience.

Securing your company is not just about meeting regulations but primarily about protecting key assets and long-term stability in all areas of business. We are happy to guide you through it. Do not be caught off guard by the new directive, and prepare for NIS2 with us.