CREST Approved Incident Response and NIS2: Ensuring Compliance and Cyber Resilience

The NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Security Directive 2) is a critical piece of EU legislation aimed at strengthening cybersecurity across essential and important sectors. It imposes stricter security requirements on organisations, including robust Incident Response (IR) capabilities to manage cyber threats effectively. Leveraging a CREST approved incident response provider offers both technical expertise and assurance of regulatory compliance.

This article explores how incident response fits into NIS2, the benefits of working with a CREST-accredited provider, and how this partnership supports compliance efforts.

1. Understanding the NIS2 Directive

NIS2 is the successor to the original NIS Directive (2016), designed to address the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape. It applies to organisations operating in critical sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance, transportation, and digital infrastructure.

The directive introduces stricter obligations related to:

• Cybersecurity risk management and governance.

• Incident detection, response, and reporting.

• Resilience testing and business continuity planning.

• Supply chain security and third-party risk management.

• Regulatory oversight with greater enforcement powers and penalties.

Organisations under NIS2 must demonstrate that they can detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents, ensuring minimal disruption to critical services.

2. The Role of Incident Response in NIS2 Compliance

Incident response is a cornerstone of NIS2 compliance, requiring organisations to maintain both preventive and reactive measures to mitigate cyber risks. The directive emphasises incident management as part of an integrated cybersecurity strategy.

Key incident response requirements under NIS2 include:

1. Incident Detection and Prevention (Article 21)

• Organisations must implement monitoring systems to detect security incidents in real time.

• Tools such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) should be deployed.

2. Incident Management Framework

• Organisations must maintain a documented incident response plan that outlines procedures for detection, containment, remediation, and recovery.

• The plan should assign roles and responsibilities for each phase of the response process.

3. Incident Reporting (Article 23)

• Significant incidents that disrupt essential services must be reported to national competent authorities within strict timeframes:

  • Initial notification within 24 hours of detection.

  • Full incident report within 72 hours, detailing root cause, impact, and remedial actions.

4. Evidence Collection and Forensics

• Organisations must preserve evidence during incidents to support forensic investigations and regulatory reporting.

• Incident documentation is critical for audits and potential legal proceedings.

5. Lessons Learned and Continuous Improvement

• Organisations must conduct post-incident reviews to identify areas for improvement.

• Lessons learned should be used to update security policies, controls, and training programs.

By meeting these requirements, organisations improve their ability to respond to cyber threats while maintaining compliance with NIS2.

3. The Importance of CREST Accreditation in Incident Response

CREST is an internationally recognised accreditation body that certifies organisations and individuals in cybersecurity, including incident response. CREST accreditation assures clients that their security service providers meet high standards of professionalism, technical expertise, and ethical conduct.

Benefits of a CREST Approved Incident Response Provider:

1. Proven Expertise and Competency

   • CREST-certified professionals undergo rigorous examinations to demonstrate advanced knowledge of threat detection, forensic analysis, and incident management.

   • Providers must adhere to industry best practices and stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats and technologies.

2. Standardised Processes and Documentation

   • CREST-approved providers follow well-defined procedures for incident response, including:

     • Threat identification and containment.

     • Evidence handling and preservation.

     • Forensic investigation and reporting.

3. These practices align closely with the NIS2 directive’s requirements for documented and auditable incident response procedures.

4. Regulatory Recognition

   • Many regulatory bodies recognise CREST accreditation as evidence of compliance with security and incident management standards.

   • Partnering with a CREST-certified provider can enhance trust with regulators, auditors, and stakeholders.

5. Rapid Response Capability

   • CREST-approved providers offer 24/7 incident response services to ensure timely intervention during cyber incidents.

   • Rapid containment and mitigation reduce the risk of further damage and regulatory non-compliance.

6. Assistance with Regulatory Reporting

   • CREST providers understand the legal and regulatory frameworks, including NIS2, and can help organisations meet reporting obligations.

   • They provide detailed incident reports that meet the requirements of national cybersecurity authorities.

4. How CREST Incident Response Supports NIS2 Compliance

Working with a CREST-certified provider supports NIS2 compliance in the following ways:

1. Risk Management and Preparedness

• Providers help organisations develop and test incident response plans that are aligned with NIS2.

• They conduct vulnerability assessments and threat simulations to strengthen defences.

2. Real-Time Detection and Response

• CREST-certified teams deploy monitoring and response technologies to detect incidents early.

• They implement automated response protocols to contain threats quickly, minimising service disruption.

3. Regulatory-Ready Reporting

• Providers assist with incident severity assessments to determine whether an incident meets reporting thresholds under NIS2.

• They deliver timely, comprehensive reports that include key details such as:

  • Incident timeline.

  • Root cause analysis.

  • Impact on operations.

  • Recovery actions taken.

This ensures organisations meet the 24-hour and 72-hour reporting deadlines specified by NIS2.

4. Post-Incident Improvement

• CREST providers conduct post-incident reviews to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements.

• They help organisations update their response plans and security controls based on lessons learned.

5. Threat Intelligence and Collaboration

• Accredited providers leverage global threat intelligence networks to share information about emerging threats.

• This supports organisations in enhancing their security posture and collaborating with industry peers, a key objective of NIS2.

5. Consequences of Non-Compliance with NIS2

Failure to comply with NIS2’s incident response requirements can result in:

• Regulatory Fines:
  National authorities can impose significant fines for non-compliance, particularly for delays in reporting incidents.

• Operational Disruption:
  Ineffective incident response may lead to prolonged service outages, impacting critical infrastructure and public trust.

• Reputational Damage:
  Breaches of essential services can erode customer and stakeholder confidence in an organisation’s ability to protect its systems and data.

By partnering with a CREST-certified provider, organisations can mitigate these risks and demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity resilience.

6. Steps to Achieve NIS2 Compliance with CREST Support

1. Engage a CREST-Accredited Provider:
   Identify and partner with a provider that offers incident response, threat intelligence, and forensic services.

2. Develop and Test Incident Response Plans:
   Work with the provider to create response plans tailored to your organisation’s risk profile and critical services.

3. Implement Detection and Monitoring Tools:
   Deploy technologies such as SIEM, EDR, and network monitoring to enhance threat detection capabilities.

4. Train Incident Response Teams:
   Conduct regular training exercises and simulations to ensure readiness for real-world incidents.

5. Perform Compliance Audits:
   Periodically assess your organisation’s incident response capabilities against NIS2 requirements, using feedback from CREST-certified experts.

Conclusion

The NIS2 directive places significant emphasis on effective incident response to protect essential services and critical infrastructure. By partnering with a CREST-approved incident response provider, organisations can meet regulatory requirements, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and reduce the impact of cyber threats. This collaboration ensures that organisations are prepared to handle incidents efficiently while maintaining full compliance with NIS2.

For further guidance on selecting a CREST-certified provider and improving your incident response maturity, contact your cybersecurity operations team or a regulatory compliance advisor.