European Cybersecurity Evolution and the Key Role of Network Visibility

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European Cybersecurity Evolution and the Key Role of Network Visibility

As the European Union (EU) gears up to enforce the Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2), entities across the continent are gearing up for a significant change in cybersecurity regulations.

Emphasizing the strengthening of the resilience of vital services and key infrastructure, NIS2 brings in stricter demands for risk management, incident reporting, and supply chain security. Amidst these transformations, network observability emerges as an essential tool for adherence and proactive threat detection.

NIS2: An Advanced Phase of Cybersecurity

NIS2 represents a thorough revamp of the existing NIS Directive, with the intent to address the dynamic cyber threat scenario and fortify the EU’s overall cybersecurity stance. Key revisions under NIS2 encompass:

• Broader Scope: NIS2 applies to a wider array of sectors, spanning energy, transportation, healthcare, financial services, and digital infrastructure.
• Stringent Demands: Enterprises will need to adhere to more stringent risk management practices, incident reporting protocols, and supply chain security measures.
• Heightened Penalties: Non-compliance with NIS2 can result in noteworthy financial penalties and harm to reputation.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NETWORK VISIBILITY

Network visibility holds a crucial position in meeting the requirements of NIS2. By delivering comprehensive insight into network traffic, performance, and security, organizations can:

• Recognize and Lessen Risks: Network visibility empowers organizations to pinpoint vulnerabilities and potential threats in real-time, facilitating proactive risk mitigation.
• Streamline Incident Response: In case of a security breach, network visibility aids organizations in promptly identifying, probing, and countering the threat, thereby reducing damage and downtime.
• Ensure Compliance with Regulations: By actively monitoring network activity, organizations can demonstrate conformity with NIS2’s rigorous reporting and incident management requisites.
• Strengthen Supply Chain Security: Network visibility assists organizations in overseeing the security stance of their supply chain associates, ensuring their alignment with the mandated standards.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORK VISIBILITY

Network visibility plays a pivotal role in meeting the demands of NIS2. By providing comprehensive insight into network traffic, performance, and security, organizations can:

• Recognize and Lessen Risks: Network visibility empowers organizations to pinpoint vulnerabilities and potential threats in real-time, facilitating proactive risk mitigation.
• Streamline Incident Response: In case of a security breach, network visibility aids organizations in promptly identifying, probing, and countering the threat, thereby reducing damage and downtime.
• Ensure Compliance with Regulations: By actively monitoring network activity, organizations can demonstrate conformity with NIS2’s rigorous reporting and incident management requisites.
• Strengthen Supply Chain Security: Network visibility assists organizations in overseeing the security stance of their supply chain associates, ensuring their alignment with the mandated standards.

THE FUTURE OF CYBERSECURITY IN EUROPE

NIS2 marks a notable progression in European cybersecurity. By embracing network visibility and investing in appropriate tools and technologies, entities can not only fulfill the requisites of NIS2 but also proactively shield themselves against the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape.

HOW CAN NEOX NETWORKS ASSIST YOU WITH NIS2 COMPLIANCE

NEOX NETWORKS can aid you in complying with the NIS2 Directive by offering professional data extraction tools for monitoring, analysis, and security in critical infrastructures. Their solutions ensure a dependable source of network data, essential for continuous monitoring and safeguarding corporate networks, whether IT or OT. With our proficiency, we can extend robust support to your entity to meet NIS2 Directive’s comprehensive measures.

ENHANCED NETWORK VISIBILITY AND MONITORING:

• Network TAPs: FPGA-based NEOXPacketRaven Network TAPs guarantee lossless and unidirectional routing of network traffic, thanks to data diode functionality, to make it accessible to security and monitoring tools.
• Network Packet Brokers (NPBs): NEOX NETWORKS’ NPBs are tasked with providing analysis and monitoring systems with all data streams from the Network TAPs or other data sources distributed in the network, ensuring reliable and aggregated data. Leveraging specialized ASIC hardware in each NPB, simple and complex filter rules can be created to ensure an optimized data flow to the analysis systems.
• Network Traffic Analysis (NTA): NEOX NETWORKS’ NTA solutions offer in-depth insights into network traffic, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis. This aids organizations in identifying anomalies, suspicious activities, and potential security breaches, critical for early threat detection and incident response under NIS2.
• Network Monitoring Solutions: NEOX NETWORKS delivers network monitoring solutions that gather and analyze network data in real-time. These solutions provide insights into network performance, bandwidth usage, latency, and other crucial metrics, aiding entities in promptly identifying and resolving network issues.

SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY:

Network Segmentation: NEOX NETWORKS can aid entities in implementing network segmentation, establishing isolated zones within the network to curtail threat propagation and safeguard critical assets. This holds particular importanceTo oversee supply chain risks effectively, the importance of safeguarding interconnected systems and services is stressed by NIS2.

ADHERENCE AND RULES:

• Information Recording and Storage: NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions empower enterprises to record and retain network traffic data for regulatory and forensic purposes. This guarantees that businesses can fulfill regulatory obligations for data storage and offer proof in case of security breaches.
• ENHANCED NETWORK PERFORMANCE AND ISSUE RESOLUTION
• Application Efficiency Monitoring (APM): NEOX NETWORKS’ APM solutions track the performance of critical applications and services operating on the network. This aids companies in pinpointing bottlenecks, optimizing application performance, and ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Network Investigation: In situations of security breaches or network downtime, NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions can provide comprehensive forensic data to aid investigators in grasping the main cause and pinpointing the responsible parties.

ACTION REQUIRED

As the deadline for NIS2 implementation approaches, it is imperative for companies to evaluate their cybersecurity stance and invest in network visibility solutions. Through this, they can ensure compliance, safeguard their critical assets, and retain the confidence of their clientele and shareholders.

NIS2: The next level of European Cybersecurity and the crucial role of Network Visibility

…To ensure reliable and aggregated supply of task, analysis, and monitoring systems with all data streams from network TAPs or other distributed data sources in the network. Using the dedicated ASIC hardware deployed in each NPB, both simple and complex filter rules can be created to ensure an optimized data flow to the analysis systems.

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA): NEOX NETWORKS’ NTA solutions provide deep insights into network traffic, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis. This helps businesses detect anomalies, suspicious activities, and potential security breaches, crucial for early threat detection and incident response within the framework of NIS2.

Network Monitoring Solutions: NEOX NETWORKS offers real-time network monitoring solutions that collect and analyze network data. These solutions provide insights into network performance, bandwidth utilization, latency, and other critical metrics, aiding businesses in quickly identifying and resolving network issues.

SECURITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN:

• Network Segmentation: NEOX NETWORKS can assist businesses in implementing network segmentation and creating isolated zones within the network to limit threat propagation and protect critical assets. This is particularly important for risk management in the supply chain, as NIS2 emphasizes the need to secure interconnected systems and services.

COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION:

• Data Recording and Retention: NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions enable companies to record and retain network traffic data for compliance and forensic purposes. This ensures that companies meet legal requirements for data retention and can provide necessary evidence in case of security incidents.

ENHANCED NETWORK PERFORMANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING

• Application Performance Monitoring (APM): NEOX NETWORKS’ APM solutions monitor the performance of critical applications and services running on the network. This helps companies identify bottlenecks, optimize application performance, and ensure a smooth user experience.
• Network Forensics: In the event of a security incident or network outage, NEOX NETWORKS’ solutions can provide detailed forensic data to help investigators understand the cause and identify responsible parties.

CALL TO ACTION

As the implementation of NIS2 approaches, it is crucial for companies to assess their cybersecurity posture and invest in network monitoring solutions. This way, they can ensure regulatory compliance, protect their critical assets, and maintain the trust of their customers and stakeholders.