Standards Comparison

    NIS2

    Mandatory
    2022

    EU directive for cybersecurity resilience in critical sectors

    VS

    ISO 19600

    Voluntary
    2014

    International guidelines for compliance management systems

    Quick Verdict

    NIS2 mandates cybersecurity resilience for EU critical sectors with strict reporting and fines, while ISO 19600 provides voluntary guidelines for building compliance management systems globally. Companies adopt NIS2 for regulatory compliance, ISO 19600 for scalable risk frameworks.

    Cybersecurity

    NIS2

    Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Implements size-cap rule for medium/large entities in sectors
    • Mandates strict multi-stage incident reporting timelines
    • Enforces direct senior management accountability
    • Imposes fines up to 2% global annual turnover
    • Requires continuous risk management and supply chain security
    Compliance Management

    ISO 19600

    ISO 19600:2014 Compliance management systems — Guidelines

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based CMS framework with PDCA cycle
    • Principles of good governance and proportionality
    • Scalable to all organization sizes and sectors
    • Annex SL structure for management system integration
    • Non-certifiable guidelines preparing for ISO 37301

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    NIS2 Details

    What It Is

    NIS2 Directive (EU) 2022/2555 is an EU regulation expanding the original NIS Directive. It establishes a high common level of cybersecurity across member states, targeting essential and important entities in critical sectors like energy, transport, health, and digital services. NIS2 adopts a risk-based approach with continuous assurance, moving beyond static compliance.

    Key Components

    • Four pillars: risk management, incident reporting, business continuity, corporate accountability.
    • Strict timelines: 24-hour early warnings, 72-hour notifications, one-month final reports.
    • Supply chain security, access controls, encryption; leverages standards like ISO 27001.
    • No formal certification; compliance via national transposition and audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Essential for legal compliance to avoid fines up to 2% global turnover. Enhances resilience against threats, ensures service continuity, builds stakeholder trust. Provides competitive edge through proactive cybersecurity in interconnected sectors.

    Implementation Overview

    Assess scope via size-cap (50+ employees or €10M turnover). Implement risk assessments, reporting procedures, governance. Tailor to national laws post-October 2024 transposition. Enterprise-wide transformation with training, tech upgrades; ongoing spot checks required. (178 words)

    ISO 19600 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 19600:2014 — Compliance management systems — Guidelines is a Type B guidance standard from the International Organization for Standardization. It provides recommendations for establishing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving a Compliance Management System (CMS). The risk-based approach follows the Annex SL high-level structure with 10 clauses, applicable to all organizations.

    Key Components

    • Core principles: good governance, proportionality, transparency, sustainability.
    • Pillars: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • PDCA cycle for continual enhancement.
    • No mandatory requirements; non-certifiable benchmarking tool.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates legal, regulatory, reputational risks; reduces penalties and disruptions.
    • Drives operational efficiency (10-20% cost savings), market access, cultural integrity.
    • Enhances stakeholder trust, competitive edge; prepares for ISO 37301 certification.

    Implementation Overview

    • **Phased roadmapleadership commitment, gap analysis, design, rollout, continuous improvement.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals, all sectors/geographies.
    • Involves policy development, risk registers, training, audits; no formal certification.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    NIS2
    Cybersecurity risk management, incident reporting for critical sectors
    ISO 19600
    Compliance management systems across all obligations

    Industry

    NIS2
    Essential/important entities in EU sectors like energy, transport
    ISO 19600
    All industries, organizations worldwide, any size

    Nature

    NIS2
    Mandatory EU directive with national transposition
    ISO 19600
    Voluntary guidelines (withdrawn, replaced by ISO 37301)

    Testing

    NIS2
    National authority spot checks, incident reporting timelines
    ISO 19600
    Internal audits, management reviews, self-assessments

    Penalties

    NIS2
    Fines up to 2% global turnover or €10M
    ISO 19600
    No legal penalties, internal benchmarking only

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about NIS2 and ISO 19600

    NIS2 FAQ

    ISO 19600 FAQ

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