Framework Guide

Who needs NIS 2 compliance?

Jessica Doering
November 17, 2025

Which Organizations Are Affected by the NIS 2 Directive

The European Union introduced the NIS 2 directive to improve the resilience of critical sectors to cyber attacks. But who exactly has to comply with this directive? In this blog, we will explore which organizations are affected by NIS 2 and how they can prepare to meet the requirements.

What is NIS 2?

The NIS 2 Directive (Network and Information Security 2) is an important update to the legislation that aims to improve cybersecurity standards across the European Union. It builds on the original NIS Directive, but has an extended scope and stricter compliance obligations to address new and emerging cybersecurity challenges. For full details, check out this blog.

Who needs to comply with NIS 2?

NIS 2 applies to essential and important entities in several critical sectors. These organizations are considered essential to the functioning of society and the economy. The directive aims to ensure that these entities adopt a strong cybersecurity position and protect both their operations and the general public. 

Let's break down the key sectors:

1. Essential Entities

These include organizations that provide services critical to the public and the economy. Sectors classified as "essential" under NIS 2 include:

  • Energy (electricity, gas, oil, and district heating).
  • Transport (air, rail, water, and road transport, including logistics providers).
  • Banking and Financial Services (including market infrastructure and central securities depositories).
  • Health (healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies).
  • Digital Infrastructure (internet exchange points, DNS service providers, cloud computing services).

2. Important Entities

"Important entities" are those whose services, while not immediately critical to daily life, are nonetheless vital to certain sectors and industries. These include:

  • Manufacturers of medical devices and critical products
  • Postal and courier services
  • Digital services (online marketplaces, search engines, and social networking platforms)
  • Food production (large-scale food suppliers and distributors)

Key NIS 2 Criteria for Organizations

To determine whether an organization falls under NIS 2, two key criteria are considered:

  • Size: NIS 2 applies primarily to medium and large-sized organizations, as their potential cybersecurity lapses would have a significant societal impact. Smaller entities may also fall within the scope if their services are essential to the economy.
  • Sector: Companies operating in sectors deemed essential to public safety, health and economic stability must comply with NIS 2. Even companies that provide services to critical sectors, such as digital infrastructure providers or service providers, may need to follow the directive.

Why Does NIS 2 Matter?

NIS 2 is crucial as it establishes standardized cybersecurity requirements across Europe and ensures that critical sectors are prepared to mitigate risks from cyberattacks. As cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated, organizations cannot afford to neglect the importance of protecting their digital infrastructure. By complying with NIS 2, companies can prevent service interruptions and minimize damage in the event of a cyber incident.

The directive also mandates timely incident reporting, requiring organizations to notify relevant authorities within tight timeframes, ensuring swift responses to mitigate the impact of attacks.

How Secfix Can Help You Meet NIS 2 Compliance

How Secfix Can Help You Meet NIS 2 Compliance

Navigating the complexities of NIS 2 compliance can be overwhelming, especially for organizations that don't have a dedicated cybersecurity team.

That's where Secfix comes in to help. At Secfix, we specialize in automating cybersecurity compliance with tools that simplify the process.

Whether you are a provider of critical infrastructure or part of the supply chain for essential services, Secfix can help you comply with the ISO 27001 and NIS 2 standards. Our platform enables organizations to optimize risk management, incident reporting and continuous monitoring. With our automated solutions, you can focus on your core business processes and know that your cybersecurity is in safe hands.

If your organization operates in a critical sector, you are likely required to comply with NIS 2. Whether you are a large hospital, a utility provider, or a digital infrastructure company, adopting the right cybersecurity measures is essential to comply with the regulation and protect your organization from the growing threat of cyberattacks.

At Secfix, we are dedicated to helping businesses like yours prepare for NIS 2 compliance. With our automated compliance platform, we take the stress out of the process and ensure that your organization is meeting all regulatory requirements while remaining secure and resilient in an increasingly digital world.

Book a consultation with us. We help you out.

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