Why You Need a SOC for NIS2 Compliance

The NIS2 Directive is the latest evolution of the EU's cybersecurity regulations, designed to enhance the security and resilience of essential and important services across various sectors. Organisations covered by NIS2 must implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures, including incident detection, response, and reporting. To meet these obligations, many organisations are turning to Security Operations Centres (SOCs), which provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response to cyber incidents.

This article explores the critical role of a SOC in achieving NIS2 compliance, detailing the key requirements of the directive, how a SOC supports these requirements, and the benefits of having a SOC in place.

1. What is the NIS2 Directive?

The NIS2 Directive was adopted by the European Union in December 2022 to strengthen the cybersecurity of essential and important services. It replaces the original NIS Directive (2016) and expands its scope to cover more sectors, including healthcare, digital infrastructure, energy, financial services, transportation, and public administration.

The directive imposes stricter requirements on organisations, including:

• Cybersecurity Risk Management: Implement measures to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

• Incident Reporting: Notify national authorities of significant incidents within 24 hours of detection.

• Continuous Monitoring: Maintain real-time visibility into security events across networks and systems.

• Governance and Accountability: Ensure that senior management is responsible for overseeing cybersecurity compliance.

• Third-Party Risk Management: Assess and manage risks posed by critical ICT service providers and vendors.

Failure to comply with NIS2 can result in severe penalties, including fines, service restrictions, and reputational damage.

2. What is a Security Operations Centre (SOC)?

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a dedicated team and infrastructure designed to monitor, detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats in real time. The SOC serves as the central hub for an organisation’s cybersecurity operations, combining technology, processes, and personnel to provide continuous protection against cyberattacks.

Key components of a SOC include:

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): A platform that aggregates and analyses security event data from across the organisation.

• Threat Intelligence: Information about emerging threats and attack tactics to enhance detection capabilities.

• Incident Response: A coordinated approach to investigating and resolving security incidents.

• Security Analysts: Experts who monitor alerts, investigate threats, and respond to incidents.

SOC operations can be managed in-house or outsourced through SOC-as-a-Service providers.

3. How NIS2 Requirements Align with SOC Capabilities

A SOC plays a critical role in helping organisations comply with NIS2 by providing the necessary capabilities for risk management, incident detection, and response. Below, we explore how a SOC aligns with specific NIS2 requirements.

3.1. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection

NIS2 Requirement:
Organisations must continuously monitor their networks and information systems to detect cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

How a SOC Supports Compliance:
A SOC provides 24/7 monitoring of security events across the organisation’s infrastructure. Through advanced analytics and automation, the SOC can detect suspicious activities, such as:

• Unauthorised access attempts.

• Malware infections.

• Data exfiltration or other indicators of compromise (IOCs).

By maintaining real-time visibility into security events, the SOC enables organisations to quickly identify and mitigate threats before they escalate.

3.2. Incident Response and Reporting

NIS2 Requirement:
Organisations must respond to security incidents promptly and notify national authorities within 24 hours of detecting significant incidents. A detailed report must be submitted within 72 hours.

How a SOC Supports Compliance:
The SOC is responsible for coordinating incident response activities, including:

• Incident Investigation: Analysing the root cause, impact, and scope of the incident.

• Containment: Isolating affected systems to prevent further damage.

• Mitigation: Applying security measures to restore normal operations.

• Reporting: Providing detailed incident reports that meet regulatory requirements.

SOC teams are trained to handle regulatory reporting, ensuring that notifications are sent to authorities within the mandated timeframe.

3.3. Risk Management and Vulnerability Assessment

NIS2 Requirement:
Organisations must implement risk-based security measures to protect their systems and data. This includes identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.

How a SOC Supports Compliance:
The SOC works closely with vulnerability management teams to identify and prioritise security risks. Key activities include:

• Regular Vulnerability Scans: Identifying weaknesses in systems and applications.

• Threat Intelligence Integration: Using real-world threat data to prioritise critical vulnerabilities.

• Risk Assessment: Evaluating the potential impact of vulnerabilities on business operations.

The SOC ensures that risk assessments are dynamic and aligned with evolving threat landscapes.

3.4. Threat Intelligence and Situational Awareness

NIS2 Requirement:
Organisations must stay informed about emerging threats and adapt their security measures accordingly.

How a SOC Supports Compliance:
A SOC leverages threat intelligence feeds to stay ahead of evolving attack tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This enables the organisation to:

• Detect and block known attack patterns.

• Implement proactive security measures based on threat trends.

• Share threat intelligence with national authorities and industry peers.

Threat intelligence enhances the organisation’s ability to prevent and respond to sophisticated cyberattacks.

3.5. Governance and Accountability

NIS2 Requirement:
Senior management is accountable for ensuring cybersecurity compliance and must oversee risk management efforts.

How a SOC Supports Compliance:
The SOC provides regular reports and dashboards to senior management, offering insights into:

• Security incidents and their impact.

• Trends in threat activity and vulnerabilities.

• The effectiveness of security controls.

These reports enable executives to make informed decisions about security investments, risk tolerance, and compliance priorities.

4. Benefits of Implementing a SOC for NIS2 Compliance

Implementing a SOC offers several benefits beyond regulatory compliance, including:

4.1. Enhanced Security Posture

A SOC provides a proactive approach to cybersecurity, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks. By continuously monitoring for threats, the SOC helps prevent breaches and minimise their impact.

4.2. Faster Incident Response

With a SOC in place, organisations can detect and respond to incidents more quickly, reducing downtime and limiting damage. Rapid response capabilities are essential for meeting NIS2’s strict reporting timelines.

4.3. Improved Risk Management

The SOC’s integration with risk management processes ensures that security measures are prioritised based on real-world threats. This approach helps organisations allocate resources effectively and protect critical assets.

4.4. Simplified Compliance

By centralising security operations, the SOC streamlines compliance efforts. Automated monitoring, reporting, and documentation reduce the administrative burden associated with regulatory audits and inspections.

5. In-House SOC vs. SOC-as-a-Service

Organisations can choose between building an in-house SOC or outsourcing their security operations to a SOC-as-a-Service provider. Each option has its advantages:

• In-House SOC: Provides full control over security operations but requires significant investment in technology, personnel, and infrastructure.

• SOC-as-a-Service: Offers scalable, cost-effective access to expert resources and advanced technologies. This option is ideal for organisations with limited internal capabilities.

The choice depends on the organisation’s size, budget, and security needs.

6. Best Practices for SOC Implementation

To maximise the benefits of a SOC and ensure NIS2 compliance, organisations should adopt the following best practices:

1. Develop a Comprehensive Security Strategy:
   Align SOC operations with the organisation’s risk management and compliance goals.

2. Integrate Threat Intelligence:
   Use real-time threat intelligence to enhance detection and response capabilities.

3. Automate Monitoring and Reporting:
   Implement automation tools to streamline security monitoring, alerting, and regulatory reporting.

4. Conduct Regular Training:
   Train SOC analysts and other staff on incident response procedures, compliance requirements, and emerging threats.

5. Continuously Improve:
   Use lessons learned from incidents and audits to enhance SOC operations and security measures.

7. Conclusion

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is essential for organisations seeking to comply with the NIS2 Directive. By providing continuous monitoring, rapid incident response, and proactive risk management, a SOC helps organisations protect critical infrastructure, reduce regulatory risks, and maintain operational resilience. Whether implemented in-house or through a managed service provider, a well-functioning SOC is a key component of modern cybersecurity strategy.

For assistance with SOC implementation, threat monitoring, or NIS2 compliance, contact our cybersecurity experts today.