MDM

NIS-2 and the Necessity of Mobile Device Management (MDM)

The digital threat landscape for businesses is continuously expanding. Cyberattacks, data breaches, and security vulnerabilities pose risks to companies of all sizes and industries. To counteract these threats, the European Union has adopted the new NIS2 Directive, which must be transposed into national law by all Member States by October 2024. This directive raises cybersecurity requirements, particularly for organisations operating in critical sectors. It sets strict security standards, obliging companies to protect not only their traditional IT but also mobile devices effectively. In this blog post, you will learn what the NIS2 Directive entails, which industries are affected, the requirements it imposes, and why Mobile Device Management (MDM) is indispensable for businesses. Finally, we explain why our 7P-MDM solution is the ideal choice to meet these requirements and ensure the highest security standards.

NIS-2: The New EU Cybersecurity Directive

The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS-2) is the revised version of the original 2016 NIS Directive. Its aim is to strengthen cybersecurity across the European Union and enhance the protection of critical infrastructures.

The scope of NIS-2 has been significantly expanded, and security requirements are now stricter and more comprehensive. Companies across numerous critical sectors must comply with higher security standards and face tighter reporting obligations in the event of security incidents.

Affected Industries and Sectors

NIS-2 applies to a wide range of industries considered essential to society and the economy. These include:

Energy (electricity, natural gas, district heating)

Transport (road, rail, air, and maritime)

Banks and financial market infrastructures

Healthcare (hospitals, medical institutions)

Drinking water and wastewater management

Public administration

Digital infrastructure (internet exchange points, data centres, telecom providers)

Manufacturing industry, particularly in medical devices, electronics, and automotive

Postal and courier services

Additionally, companies in further critical sectors, such as the chemical industry or food production, may also fall under NIS-2 requirements.

The Four Pillars of the NIS-2 Directive

To comply with NIS-2, organisations must act in four key areas. These pillars form the foundation of a holistic cybersecurity strategy:

1. Risk Management

Companies are required to implement a comprehensive risk management system that conducts regular threat analyses. This includes:

Risk assessment: Ongoing identification and evaluation of potential threats to IT infrastructure, including mobile devices.

Protective measures: Deployment of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies to minimise vulnerabilities and optimise security measures.

2. Incident Management

Effective incident management is essential to respond quickly and effectively to security incidents:

Detection and reporting: Organisations must establish mechanisms for rapid detection and mandatory reporting of cybersecurity incidents to authorities within 24 hours.

Response and recovery: Plans must be in place to mitigate incidents quickly and restore IT systems, reducing business impact.

3. Business Continuity and Crisis Management

NIS-2 requires organisations to ensure continuity of operations even during cyberattacks:

Emergency plans: Companies must develop and maintain contingency plans to safeguard operations during crises.

Crisis response: Capabilities for crisis management must be established, including regular training and exercises to prepare for potential threats.

4. Compliance and Governance

Organisations must ensure legal and regulatory compliance:

Documentation and reporting: Implementation of mechanisms to document all security measures and incidents, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Regular security audits: NIS-2 mandates periodic security assessments, with results submitted to supervisory authorities.

NIS-2 – Where and How Mobile Device Management (MDM) Supports Compliance

Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables companies to securely manage and monitor mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Since NIS-2 explicitly includes mobile devices within its scope, MDM becomes an indispensable tool for ensuring compliance.

Risk Management – How MDM Helps:

Enforcing security policies across all mobile devices

Rapid deployment of security updates and patches (e.g. iOS devices)

Application security through control of installed apps

Network security with managed VPNs and Wi-Fi configurations

Device hardening to ensure optimal security settings

Threat analysis and monitoring to identify and mitigate risks

Incident Management – How MDM Helps:

Monitoring and logging of suspicious activities

Integration with other security tools such as antivirus and mobile threat detection

Automated responses, such as locking compromised devices or restricting network access

Real-time alerts to administrators for rapid incident response

Business Continuity and Crisis Management – How MDM Helps:

Data security with encryption and remote wipe capabilities

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) support

Awareness and training tools for users to improve security practices

Compliance and Governance – How MDM Helps:

Centralised management of all mobile devices

Compliance reporting to demonstrate adherence to NIS-2 requirements

Support for industry-specific regulations beyond NIS-2

Comprehensive audit trails for inspections and reviews

Top 10 Reasons Why MDM is Essential for NIS-2 Compliance

Enforces strict security policies on all devices

Provides centralised management and monitoring

Delivers rapid security updates and patches

Protects sensitive data with encryption and remote wipe

Supports Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Monitors and logs all security-relevant activities

Ensures application security by controlling installed apps

Safeguards network access via VPNs and secure Wi-Fi

Generates compliance reports for audits

Integrates with other cybersecurity solutions for a holistic strategy

Why 7P MDM is the Ideal Solution for NIS-2 Compliance

7P MDM not only provides all the essential features of an MDM system but is specifically tailored to the requirements of European businesses, with advanced security functionalities.

Key Advantages of 7P MDM:

European development and hosting: All data hosted in Germany and Austria, ensuring GDPR compliance.

Local support in Germany: Fast, bilingual customer support with short response times.

Certified security: ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications guarantee international best practices.

Seamless integration with antivirus, mobile threat defence, and advanced encryption solutions.

Extended protection, including:

Antivirus scanning for malware and viruses

Mobile Threat Defence for phishing and ransomware protection

Secure messaging solutions compliant with GDPR

Container solutions to separate business and private data securely

Conclusion: 7P MDM as a Core Component of NIS-2 Compliance and Cybersecurity Strategy

The NIS-2 Directive sets stringent demands on companies, particularly regarding the protection of mobile devices and adherence to high cybersecurity standards. 7P MDM is a vital tool to meet these requirements. It enables centralised management, monitoring, and security for mobile devices, ensuring compliance with NIS-2.

Yet, compliance alone is not enough. A robust cybersecurity strategy requires multiple layers of protection. As part of a wider security ecosystem, 7P MDM integrates seamlessly with additional tools such as antivirus, threat defence, and secure messaging, creating a multi-layered security infrastructure.

With 7P MDM as the foundation, businesses gain the flexibility and protection needed to safeguard their mobile IT infrastructure and achieve full NIS-2 compliance – all while benefiting from a holistic, future-ready cybersecurity strategy.

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