NIS2 in the transport sector and the role of security awareness

Daily, your business plays a critical role in a vast network of supply chains. That way, you ensure that essential and critical services keep moving. Whether it’s delivering life-saving medicines, critical retail goods, or facilitating global trade: the transport sector is the lifeline of our economy and society. Have you ever considered how a security breach in your operations could ripple through this network, causing huge damage that is difficult to oversee from just your perspective?

Enter the NIS2, an evolution in European Union law designed to elevate the cybersecurity measures that essential sectors undertake, including yours.

But is that relevant for you? Wasn’t NIS something for critical and essential companies only? If your company is part of the supply chain for an essential service, chances are you’re now under the spotlight to comply with these enhanced security measures. Whether you’re a large logistic conglomerate or a small freight business, NIS2 recognizes no size but only the criticality of your service.

Imagine a scenario where a simple security issue on your organization’s end leads to a halt in operations, causing delays, financial loss, and reputational damage. This is why many essential organizations will require their supply chain partners to adhere to NIS2 soon.

The transport sector’s role in the supply chain

Without transportation, there would be no global trade. Your sector is responsible for ensuring that goods move from suppliers to consumers efficiently and reliably.

Transportation companies often serve industries that are critical to national infrastructure and everyday life, healthcare, food and beverage, retail, and more. When transport halts, so does the distribution of essential goods.

Your role in the transport sector isn’t on its own; it’s part of a larger ecosystem. Even if your company isn’t directly related to an essential business, your clients might be. This interconnectedness means that security and compliance standards, like those mandated by NIS2, aren’t just for the big players. They trickle down the supply chain, requiring all involved to enhance their cybersecurity measures.

What is NIS2?

NIS2 stands for the Directive on the Security of Network and Information Systems. It’s the EU’s answer to the newest and most critical cyber threats targeting essential services, including your transport operations. The directive focuses on bolstering the defense against cybersecurity across various sectors.

NIS2’s primary goal is to enhance the overall security of network and information systems. Think of it as elevating the cybersecurity baseline across the board. It’s not just about safeguarding your data; it’s about ensuring the continuity of services that society relies on. That includes the transport of goods and people, so it includes your business.

These are the key elements and requirements:

• Risk management measures: implement and regularly update risk management practices that address threats to your transport business.
• Incident response: be prepared with strategies to detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents.
• Supply chain security: ensure the security of supply chains, since transport is integral to broader (national) supply chains.
• Reporting obligations: reporting of serious incidents to national authorities, to make sure there’s a coordinated effort to tackle threats.

Unlike its predecessor, NIS2 is relevant for way more companies, covering more sectors and types of entities. It’s not just for the ‘big players’ anymore; medium and even smaller-sized businesses are now included as well. This inclusivity ensures that the entire supply chain, down to the smallest link, is fortified against cyber threats.

How businesses in the transport sector are affected by NIS2

Previously, you might not have considered your transport company ‘essential’. However, NIS2 expands the definition. If you’re part of the supply chain for critical industries -think pharmaceuticals, food, manufacturing- NIS2 does apply to your business too. This means, you need to comply to make sure any cyberattacks will not do more damage than needed.

Under NIS2, your business must adhere to stricter security protocols. This includes risk management measures, incident reporting, and system resilience strategies.

Small business versus large business: understanding the impact

The size of your business dictates the scale of the implementation, but not the importance. For small businesses, this might mean allocating resources to upgrade systems or train staff. For larger companies, it’s about integrating NIS2 compliance across different branches and possibly across borders. Both face challenges, but the goal is the same: secure, reliable transport services.

Consider the case of a small logistics company that suffered a data breach, leading to delayed shipments and a big hit on their reputation. For NIS2, an investment in cybersecurity measures mitigates such risks, showcasing the directive’s real-world value. Similarly, a major transport network that becomes NIS2 compliant avoids significant fines and operational disruptions.

In summary, NIS2 is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about adopting a culture of security that safeguards your business and your customers. Your role in the supply chain is vital, and with NIS2, you ensure that this chain remains unbroken. Therefore, step forward and evaluate your current security stance. Make sure you work on NIS2 compliance, to both avoid penalties and to improve the safe way you work. Your business, your customers, and the entire supply chain will thank you for it.

The role of security awareness training

One of the most important points of the NIS2 directive is that organizations are required to train their employees about cyber threats. Because no matter how much technology there is in place, 95% of all data leaks are still caused by human error.

Guardey offers a security awareness solution based on gamification. During weekly challenges that take 3 minutes to complete, users learn everything about cyber threats such as phishing, malware, CEO fraud, and more. With its reporting functionality, you can see how your employees are learning and at the same time prove that you have been training your staff sufficiently.

Start training your employees today

The introduction of NIS2 is not just a regulatory update, it’s a call to action for every organization that plays a role in the essential supply chains of our economy. Compliance is not only about avoiding penalties; it’s about protecting the lifelines of commerce and ensuring the continuity of services that societies depend on.

With security awareness training being a key element of these requirements, make sure to find a solution that fits your organization best. Consider trying out the only solution fully built on gamification: Guardey.

Start a 14-day free trial at Guardey