What It Is

The NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555) is an EU regulation updating the original NIS Directive. It aims to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity resilience across member states, expanding scope to essential and important entities in sectors like energy, transport, health, and digital infrastructure. It adopts a proactive, risk-based approach with continuous assurance rather than static compliance.

Key Components

• Four pillars: risk management, business continuity, incident reporting, corporate accountability
• Strict reporting: 24-hour early warning, 72-hour notification, one-month final report
• Leverages standards like ISO 27001, NIST CSF, ENISA guidelines
• Oversight via national CSIRTs and authorities with spot checks

Why Organizations Use It

• Meets legal obligations, avoiding fines up to 2% global turnover for essentials
• Builds cyber resilience against threats like supply chain attacks
• Enhances trust, continuity, and competitive edge
• Supports harmonized EU-wide cooperation

Implementation Overview

• Gap analysis, risk assessments, supply chain security, training
• Targets medium/large entities (>50 employees, €10M turnover) in EU sectors
• Transposed nationally by October 2024; ongoing audits required

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What It Is

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) certification program that verifies cybersecurity implementations protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It uses a tiered, maturity-based model with three cumulative levels, drawing from FAR 52.204-21, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, and NIST SP 800-172 for risk-aligned protections.

Key Components

CMMC organizes requirements into 14 domains (e.g., Access Control, Incident Response) spanning 17 practices at Level 1, 110 at Level 2, and 24 enhanced at Level 3. Built on NIST standards, it mandates System Security Plans (SSPs), evidence-based assessments via self, C3PAO, or DIBCAC, with reporting to SPRS/eMASS and limited POA&Ms (180-day closures).

Why Organizations Use It

DoD contractors pursue CMMC for mandatory contract eligibility, risk reduction against APTs, and supply chain resilience. It offers competitive procurement advantages, operational efficiencies, lower insurance costs, and enhanced stakeholder trust amid rising cyber threats costing billions annually.

Implementation Overview

Adopt via **phased methodologyscoping/gap analysis, remediation, pre-assessment, formal certification, and sustainment. Applies to all DIB firms handling FCI/CUI; requires annual affirmations, triennial reassessments. (178 words)