Standards Comparison

    NIS2

    Mandatory
    2022

    EU directive for cybersecurity resilience in critical sectors

    VS

    ISO 45001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for occupational health and safety management systems

    Quick Verdict

    NIS2 mandates cybersecurity resilience for EU critical sectors via risk management and reporting, while ISO 45001 provides voluntary OH&S framework for global workplaces emphasizing leadership and continual improvement. Companies adopt NIS2 for regulatory compliance, ISO 45001 for safety culture and certification.

    Cybersecurity

    NIS2

    Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2 Directive)

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

    Key Features

    • Size-cap rule covers medium/large entities in expanded sectors
    • Strict 24-hour early warning incident reporting mandated
    • Senior management held directly accountable for compliance
    • Fines up to 2% global annual turnover imposed
    • Continuous risk management includes supply chain security
    Occupational Health & Safety

    ISO 45001

    ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

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

    Key Features

    • Top management leadership and accountability
    • Worker consultation and participation requirements
    • Hierarchy of controls for risk management
    • Annex SL for IMS integration
    • Contractor and change management controls

    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 to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity across member states. It targets essential and important entities via a size-cap rule (50+ employees or €10M turnover for important; higher for essential) in broadened sectors like energy, transport, health, digital infrastructure, postal, waste, and food.

    Key Components

    • **Risk managementOngoing assessments, supply chain security, access controls, encryption.
    • **Incident reporting24-hour early warning, 72-hour notification, 1-month final report to CSIRTs.
    • **Corporate accountabilitySenior management direct responsibility.
    • **Business continuityRecovery plans and resilience measures. Built on standards like ISO 27001, NIST CSF; enforced via national laws post-October 2024 transposition, with spot checks.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Avoids fines up to €10M or 2% global turnover.
    • Strengthens resilience against threats like APTs, ransomware.
    • Ensures compliance in multi-state operations.
    • Boosts trust, continuity, competitive edge.

    Implementation Overview

    • Scope check by size/sector.
    • Deploy risk frameworks, reporting, training.
    • Targets EU medium/large entities in covered sectors.
    • Continuous audits, no central certification; leverage existing ISMS. (178 words)

    ISO 45001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It specifies requirements to enable organizations to improve OH&S performance, prevent work-related injury and ill health, and provide safe workplaces. Employing a risk-based approach, High-Level Structure (Annex SL), and PDCA cycle, it aligns with ISO 9001 and 14001.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10: context, leadership and worker participation, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Hierarchy of controls, hazard identification, contractor management, emergency preparedness.
    • Leadership accountability and continual improvement principles.
    • Voluntary third-party certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Prevents incidents, ensures legal compliance, reduces risks and costs.
    • Builds resilience, enhances reputation, integrates with IMS.
    • Meets stakeholder demands, improves culture and productivity.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, training, controls, audits.
    • Applicable to all sizes/sectors globally; 6-12 months typical.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    NIS2
    Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and digital services
    ISO 45001
    Occupational health and safety management systems

    Industry

    NIS2
    Essential sectors like energy, transport, EU-focused
    ISO 45001
    All industries worldwide, scalable to any size

    Nature

    NIS2
    Mandatory EU regulation with enforcement
    ISO 45001
    Voluntary international certification standard

    Testing

    NIS2
    Incident reporting and spot checks by authorities
    ISO 45001
    Internal audits and management reviews

    Penalties

    NIS2
    Fines up to 2% global turnover
    ISO 45001
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about NIS2 and ISO 45001

    NIS2 FAQ

    ISO 45001 FAQ

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