Cyber Wednesday - The Growing Importance of Threat Intelligence in Cyber Security and the NIS2 Directive

The monthly roundup of news and trends from the Cyber Security market, by STIM Tech Group's CyberSec team

In a world where technology evolves at exponential rates and the cyber space becomes an invisible battleground, Cyber Security has become a priority not only for companies but also for nation states. At the center of this new frontier we find one key aspect: threat intelligence.

What is Threat Intelligence?

Threat Intelligence, or threat intelligence, is a service that provides detailed information about new vulnerabilities, attack techniques, threat actors, and their motivations. This service helps organizations proactively predict, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, ensuring effective defense against increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Why is threat intelligence critical?

In a digital environment where attacks are increasingly frequent and cybercriminal tactics are increasingly ingenious, organizations can no longer afford to take a reactive approach. Waiting for an attack to happen and then resolving it is no longer sustainable. Threat Intelligence provides a strategic advantage, allowing them to anticipate adversaries' moves and prepare accordingly.

The NIS2 Directive: a step forward in European Cyber Security

The growing wave of cyber attacks and the need to ensure secure and resilient infrastructures has prompted the European Union to review and strengthen its measures on network and information security. The result is the new NIS2 Directive, which is an update and extension of the previous NIS Directive.

What is the NIS2 Directive?

The NIS2 Directive is a piece of European Union legislation that aims to improve the security of member states' networks and information systems. While the original NIS Directive, adopted in 2016, laid the foundation for a common high level of network and information security across the EU, NIS2 seeks to address gaps and new challenges that have emerged in recent years.

Major changes and innovations

Expanded scope: while the previous directive focused mainly on operators of essential services, NIS2 extends its scope to new sectors, such as digital platforms, social networks, and digital government services.

Stricter safety requirements: entities regulated by the Directive are now required to meet higher safety standards and undergo regular risk assessments.

Greater emphasis on cooperation: the NIS2 emphasizes the importance of cooperation among member states by establishing a standing committee on network and information security to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices.

Penalties: the new directive establishes a clear and detailed penalty framework to ensure compliance.

Implications for Italy

As a member of the EU, Italy is required to transpose the NIS2 Directive into its national legislation. This means that Italian authorities will have to work to ensure that entities covered by the Directive are fully compliant with its requirements.

The NIS2 Directive represents a significant step in the fight against cyber threats in Europe. For Italy, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity as the country works to ensure secure and resilient infrastructures for its citizens and the entire Union, considering that the adoption and implementation of directives with NIS2 and DORA, together with the power of action given by Threat Intelligence, positions the European Union as a potential global leader in the field of Cyber Security.