It's no secret that cyberattacks targeting operational technology (OT) environments are on the rise worldwide, and cybercriminals are getting more and more creative – for example, researching their targets and impersonating specific software used by an OT business.
Why? The ongoing digital transformation, growing connectivity and IT/OT convergence, among others, are opening new attack vectors – and malicious actors took a note of that.
The NIS 2.0 Directive aims to fix that. With the directive fully enforced at the national level across the European Union on October 17, 2024, compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential. Organizations can face penalties for non-compliance, adding urgency to the need for action.
Read on to discover why NIS2 compliance is crucial for protecting your business from costly cybersecurity incidents.
NIS2 non-compliance can put your OT business at financial risk
Compliance with NIS2 simply helps you avoid big fines, but that’s just the beginning. The real cost of a cyber breach in OT environments can be catastrophic—industrial downtime, equipment failure, and operational disruptions can lead to millions in losses. 
For example, a cyberattack stopping production in a manufacturing plant results in lost revenue and potential damage to the equipment.
Operating in compliance with the NIS2 Directive helps prevent these devastating incidents, protecting your operations and reducing long-term costs.
While the upfront investment may seem significant, it’s a proactive step to avoid crippling financial losses down the line.
NIS2 compliance helps protect your OT business’s reputation
A security breach in OT environments can seriously damage your business’s reputation, potentially putting public safety at risk and interrupting essential services. Customers and stakeholders expect reliability, and a breach can led to long-term reputational damage.
Plus, compliance is a strong indicator of your commitment to cybersecurity practices, which helps build trust with your customers, partners, and regulators. When your business sticks to strong security standards, it increases confidence in your ability to deliver safe and reliable services.
Gaining a competitive edge
Cybersecurity is not just about protection—it’s also a competitive advantage. Companies that comply with the NIS2 directive stand out to security-conscious customers and partners. Compliance can be a powerful selling point, helping you win contracts and partnerships by demonstrating strong cybersecurity practices.
By investing in compliance now, you’re preparing your business for a more regulated future. As regulatory demands increase, businesses that prioritize cybersecurity will further enhance their market position.
With the NIS2 directive set to be fully enforced on October 17, 2024, compliance is more than just avoiding penalties — it’s a strategic investment in your business’s stability and reputation.
Securing OT systems protects against costly disruptions, enhances your competitive standing, and ensures long-term success being a smart move to protect both your organization and your future.
Explore our comprehensive guide to the NIS2 directive >>
Secure your on- and off-site connections with SSH Communications Security
Secure your on- and off-site connections with SSH Communications Security
Are you ready to act? At SSH Communications Security, we help manufacturing, critical infrastructure and other OT organizations meet NIS2 requirements. With our expertise in securing the OT industry, we offer:
- Role management, session approval, and access closing.
- Secure (remote) access –also for third parties and remote operators.
- Control over IT and OT access using protocols like SSH, RDP, VNC, HTTP(S), Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC UA, and more.
- Identity synchronization and role-based access control (RBAC) with strong biometric multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Check out our PrivX OT Edition, a software based Zero Trust solution for secure remote access management.
Learn more about the PrivX OT Edition here >>>
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