When it comes to cybersecurity frameworks and regulations, the alphabet soup of acronyms can be confusing. Two terms that often get mixed up are NIST and NIS2. While they both relate to cybersecurity and resilience, they serve very different purposes. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand what they are, how they differ, and why they matter to your business.
What is NIST?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a US government agency that develops cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and best practices. It is not a law or regulation but a set of guidelines designed to help organisations strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
The most well-known NIST framework is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), which provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risk. It focuses on five key functions:
- Identify: Understand assets, risks, and vulnerabilities.
- Protect: Implement security measures to safeguard systems.
- Detect: Monitor for threats and anomalies.
- Respond: Have a plan in place to contain and mitigate incidents.
- Recover: Ensure business continuity and restore operations effectively.
NIST is widely adopted globally, even by organisations outside the US, because it offers a flexible, risk-based approach to security.
What is NIS2?
The Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2) is an EU regulation aimed at improving cybersecurity across critical industries. It builds on the original NIS Directive and introduces stricter requirements for risk management, incident reporting, and supply chain security.
Unlike NIST, NIS2 is a legal requirement. It applies to a broader range of sectors, including energy, transport, healthcare, digital services, and financial services. Organisations covered by NIS2 must:
- Implement minimum cybersecurity risk management measures.
- Report significant cyber incidents within 24 hours.
- Ensure security across their entire supply chain.
- Face hefty fines (up to 2% of global turnover) for non-compliance.
The directive affects organisations operating in the EU, but its impact extends beyond Europe. Any company that provides services or has subsidiaries in the EU may need to comply.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | NIST | NIS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Voluntary framework | Mandatory EU regulation |
| Region | Global adoption (originated in the US) | EU-specific but impacts global businesses |
| Focus | Guidelines for cybersecurity best practices | Legal requirements for cybersecurity and resilience |
| Applicability | Any organisation that wants to improve cybersecurity | Medium and large companies in critical sectors |
| Enforcement | No penalties for non-compliance | Fines of up to 2% of global turnover |
Which One Do You Need to Follow?
- If you are a US-based or global company looking for a best-practice cybersecurity framework, NIST is a great choice.
- If you operate in the EU or have customers or supply chains in the EU, you may need to comply with NIS2.
- Many organisations choose to use both (we do for example) with NIST as a structured framework to strengthen security and NIS2 to meet legal obligations.
Final Thoughts
While NIST and NIS2 are often mentioned together, they serve very different purposes. NIST helps organisations build strong cybersecurity practices, while NIS2 enforces minimum security standards across key industries in the EU. If your business operates internationally, it’s worth aligning with both to ensure robust security and compliance.
Want to see how your organisation stacks up against these standards? Silverstring can help you assess your resilience and automate compliance. Let’s talk.
