What It Is

NIS2, officially Directive (EU) 2022/2555, is an EU regulation expanding the original NIS Directive. It establishes a high common level of cybersecurity for essential and important entities in critical sectors like energy, transport, health, and digital infrastructure. Primary purpose: enhance resilience against cyber threats using a risk-based, all-hazards approach.

Key Components

• Four pillars: risk management, business continuity, incident reporting, corporate accountability.
• Mandates ongoing risk assessments, supply chain security, access controls, encryption.
• Strict timelines: 24-hour early warnings, 72-hour notifications, one-month final reports.
• Builds on standards like ISO 27001, NIST CSF; compliance via national authorities, spot checks.

Why Organizations Use It

• Legal obligation for covered entities to avoid fines up to 2% global turnover.
• Builds cyber resilience, protects critical services.
• Enhances governance, stakeholder trust, competitive edge.
• Addresses emerging threats like supply chain attacks.

Implementation Overview

• Applies to medium/large EU entities in specified sectors.
• Key steps: scope assessment, risk measures, reporting setup, training.
• Transposed nationally by October 2024; ongoing audits, no central certification.

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What It Is

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. government-backed voluntary labeling and benchmarking program administered by the EPA, with DOE support on test procedures. It certifies energy-efficient products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants through category-specific performance thresholds and independent verification, aiming to reduce energy use and emissions via trusted market signals.

Key Components

• Performance thresholds (e.g., 15% above federal minima for appliances; 75+ score for buildings)
• Standardized DOE test methods and third-party certification
• Ongoing verification testing (5-20% of models annually)
• Brand governance rules and Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool Certification requires EPA-recognized labs/CBs and annual renewal for buildings.

Why Organizations Use It

• Cost savings ($500B since 1992) and emissions reductions
• Access to rebates, procurement preferences, and incentives
• Regulatory alignment (e.g., benchmarking laws) and ESG reporting
• Market differentiation via 90% consumer recognition

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: assess/gap analysis, design/testing/certification, deployment, ongoing verification. Applies to manufacturers, builders, owners across sizes/industries, primarily U.S./Canada; requires partnership agreement, data submission, and audits.