Ten Things You Need to Do Yesterday to Stay Compliant with NIS2

When it comes to the EU’s NIS2 Directive, meeting the basic requirements (according to the legislation in your company’s location) is only the first step. Like most regulatory frameworks, NIS2 is not intended to be a one-time exercise. It demands ongoing action, clearly defined accountability, and regular updates to policies and controls. Falling out of compliance poses the same risks as non-compliance from the outset – including regulatory penalties, legal exposure, and reputational harm.

Too often, organizations treat compliance as an endpoint. In fact, it should serve as a starting point. The threat landscape continues to evolve, as do regulatory expectations, technologies, and business priorities. Remaining compliant requires constant vigilance, timely adaptation, and sustained operational focus.

A strategy that centers solely on passing audits will fall short. NIS2 is designed to embed security into the fabric of your organization – across teams, systems, and processes. To maintain long-term compliance with NIS2, the following ten actions should be integrated into your operational ecosystem, yesterday:

1. Continuously Monitor and Manage Risk

Risk is not static, and your controls should not be either. Reassess your threat landscape regularly – considering emerging vulnerabilities, changes in business operations, and lessons from recent incidents. Update your mitigation strategies accordingly. Treat risk reviews as a standing item in monthly or quarterly governance cycles. Need a practical NIS2 compliance checklist? Check out this one.

2. Keep Incident Response Plans Sharp

An outdated incident response plan can do more harm than good. Test your plans frequently through simulations and tabletop exercises. Include new threat scenarios and revise based on what you learn. Define clear internal triggers to support swift escalation. Ensure your team can meet NIS2’s 24-hour reporting requirement without hesitation.

3. Maintain Up-to-Date Documentation

When regulators ask for proof, you need to be able to respond with confidence. Keep all relevant documentation – policies, risk assessments, incident logs – current and well-organized. Assign ownership for version control and documentation quality. This not only supports compliance, it also enables faster response and better decision-making.

4. Regularly Train Staff and Leadership

Cybersecurity awareness fades quickly, especially as threats evolve. Provide regular, role-specific training across your organization – from technical teams to senior executives. Include updates on NIS2 requirements, social engineering tactics, and secure data handling practices. Ongoing education reinforces a culture of accountability and vigilance.

5. Review Third-Party Security Posture

Third-party vendors often introduce hidden risk. Periodically reassess their security posture and NIS2 alignment, particularly for critical service providers. Update contractual agreements to reflect evolving compliance obligations. Consider integrating third-party risk monitoring tools to maintain continuous visibility.

6. Audit Internal Controls and Processes

Controls that passed last year’s audit may no longer be relevant for this year’s requirements. Schedule regular internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of key NIS2 measures. Address weaknesses proactively. Engage external auditors where appropriate to validate your approach and demonstrate due diligence. This guide offers a great overview of NIS2 internal control expectations.

7. Track Regulatory Updates and Guidance

NIS2 remains subject to local interpretation and implementation. Monitor regulatory developments in each jurisdiction where you operate. Assign someone with compliance expertise to stay informed and translate updates into actionable steps. The European Commission’s NIS2 policy page is a reliable starting point.

8. Strengthen Governance Oversight

Leadership accountability under NIS2 does not end after initial compliance. Keep cybersecurity on the Board’s agenda and ensure executive sponsorship for major cyber initiatives. Demonstrate ongoing engagement through reporting, KPIs, and investment decisions. See how NIS2 impacts governance structures in this recent KPMG analysis.

9. Evolve Technical Controls

Technology evolves – and so must your defenses. Patch exposures without delay, upgrade detection systems, and test resilience through red teaming or penetration testing. Re-evaluate your controls to ensure they remain “appropriate and proportionate” under NIS2’s principles. This NIS2 primer explains what this entails.

10. Embed Compliance into Business Operations

NIS2 compliance should be part of how your business functions – not a parallel track. Integrate security requirements into procurement, project delivery, and change management processes. Encourage teams to consider compliance and risk from the outset. This NIS2 resource outlines how to align business practices with the directive.

The Bottom Line

Achieving NIS2 compliance is not a milestone you reach once and move on from. It is an ongoing commitment that requires discipline, accountability, and continuous investment. Regulations will shift, threats will evolve – and your organization must be prepared to respond.

Compliance is no longer a standalone project – it is part of how you operate. What sets resilient organizations apart is their ability to embed compliance into everyday decision-making, not just their audit preparation. NIS2 encourages a more integrated, strategic approach to cybersecurity. It is not about ticking boxes – it is about maintaining a security posture that can withstand scrutiny at any time.