Does NIS2 certification exist?

Although the term is used here and there, NIS2 certification is technically incorrect. The NIS2 Directive is European legislation that requires organizations to demonstrably have their cybersecurity, risk management and incident management in order. This is explicitly about legislation, not a standard or certification scheme.

In contrast to, for example, ISO standards (such as ISO 27001) there is no official NIS2 certificate. However, that does not mean that organizations can sit back. The obligation does not lie in obtaining a certificate, but in being able to demonstrate compliance. Organizations must show that they have structural control over risks, security measures and incidents.

Why is “NIS2 Certification” still being used?

What organizations must be able to demonstrate in concrete terms is that they comply with the NIS2 requirements, that security measures are structurally designed and that risks and incidents are actively managed. In practice, this is sometimes summarized as “NIS2 certification”, when in reality it's about NIS2 compliance.

Those who cannot demonstrate compliance with the law are at risk. Examples include substantial fines, possible directors' liability and significant reputational damage. Compliance is therefore not only an IT issue, but also a management responsibility.

So how do you demonstrate NIS2 compliance?

Because an official NIS2 certificate is missing, many organizations are looking for other ways to demonstrate compliance. This is often done through a combination of policy documentation, risk analyses, technical and organisational measures, and internal or external audits.

A frequently chosen route is to carry out a NIS2 gap analysis. This gives you insight into where your organization stands in relation to the requirements and what steps are needed to become compliant. For organizations that want to provide structural security to customers, supervisors and chain partners, certification against existing standards is often a logical follow-up.

NIS2 and ISO 27001: What's the difference?

In terms of content, the ISO 27001 standard is very much in line with the requirements of NIS2. Topics such as risk management, incident response, supplier management, governance and business continuity are extensively covered in both frameworks.

Those who implement ISO 27001 properly already meet a large part of the NIS2 obligations. It is not a one-to-one replacement for legislation, but it does provide a robust and recognized framework for demonstrable information security. You're reading here more about the similarities and differences between ISO 27001 and NIS2.

NIS2 Supply Chain (NIS2 SC) Certification

In addition to ISO 27001, it exists NIS2 Supply Chain Certificate (formerly NIS2 Quality Mark). This is not an official European or national certificate, but a practical certificate that helps organizations demonstrate their NIS2 compliance. This can be valuable, especially for suppliers in the chain of organizations subject to NIS2, because customers are increasingly explicitly asking for demonstrable security.

Why demonstrability remains necessary

The absence of an official NIS2 certification does not mean that organizations have fewer obligations. On the contrary: organizations in essential and important sectors simply have to comply with the law and be able to prove it. Working with ISO 27001, the NIS2 Supply Chain certificate, or a combination thereof, not only creates compliance, but also trust among customers, supervisors and chain partners.

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