Meet NIS2 requirements with the right IAM system

The NIS2 requirements of the EU represent a significant step toward establishing a uniform and high security standard for critical infrastructures. The goal is to better prepare companies and organizations for cyber threats and strengthen their resilience against attacks.

An essential part of these requirements is the effective management and protection of user accounts, as they are often one of the primary attack vectors in cyber incidents.

User Accounts, the Key to IT Security

Security Concepts for Sensitive Data

Companies are required to implement clear policies for accessing IT systems and sensitive data. This includes, among other things, the regular review and restriction of permissions, especially for users with administrative rights.

Administrative rights are considered particularly critical, as their misuse can cause significant damage. Security concepts must, therefore, be based on the principle of least privilege to minimize risks.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) as a Central Solution

The integration of modern Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems is indispensable for compliance with the NIS2 directive. IAM solutions, such as the IDM-Portal by FirstAttribute, enable the centralized management of all identities—be it employees, guests, external partners, or other user groups. They ensure the enforcement of security policies and the automated control of access rights.

This allows companies to ensure that only authorized identity have access to systems and data, regardless of whether they are internal or external users. At the same time, this access is always traceable. In addition to access control, IAM systems provide detailed logging of all access events. These logs serve as the basis for investigating and reporting security incidents.

What’s Behind NIS2

Transparency and Logging: A Must for NIS2 Implementation

The NIS2 directive includes strict requirements for reporting and documenting security incidents. IAM systems support this process through the collection and analysis of data, enabling companies to report accurately and promptly. At the same time, they help identify and address potential security gaps early on.

Organizational Measures: Training and Emergency Planning

In addition to technical measures, companies must establish organizational processes to ensure the security of user accounts and IT infrastructures. This includes regularly training employees on security policies and handling sensitive data. Emergency plans ensure a quick response in the event of a cyberattack, allowing operations to continue.

Supply Chains and External Access: Security Beyond Company Borders

The importance of managing user accounts goes beyond direct protection, as companies under NIS2 must also consider the security of their supply chains. IAM systems contribute by securing external access from partners and service providers through temporary access rights and monitoring. This ensures security even beyond a company’s own boundaries.

Resilience Through Technological and Organizational Security

By combining IAM systems with the requirements of the NIS2 directive, companies can significantly improve both the prevention of cyberattacks and the ability to respond to incidents. Simultaneously, resilience is strengthened, allowing critical operations to continue through controlled access, even if parts of the infrastructure are compromised.

How IAM Systems Can Help

IAM Systems: The Foundation for NIS2 Compliance

The NIS2 directive requires companies to implement the highest security standards in their IT infrastructure. Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are a key component in this process, as they efficiently fulfill both technical and organizational requirements. They provide a structured foundation for managing identities and permissions, making them essential for NIS2 compliance.

Efficient User Management with Delegation

IAM systems reduce the complexity of user management by standardizing and automating processes. Especially in large organizations managing numerous user accounts, an IAM system ensures that permissions are clearly defined, updated, and revoked as needed. Without such a system, there is a risk that old or unused accounts remain active. Additionally, decentralized management increases the likelihood of errors and unauthorized access.

A modern IAM system not only optimizes user account management but also supports the involvement of key departments. Employees outside the IT department can participate through self-service features or delegated authorization tasks. This reduces the IT team’s workload and speeds up security-critical processes. Under NIS2, where timely responses to security incidents are critical, this provides companies with an advantage.

Improved Visibility in Hybrid IT Environments

A key aspect is the support for hybrid IT environments, including on-premises directories like Active Directory (AD) and cloud-based solutions like Entra ID.

IAM systems enable a seamless integration of these environments. They ensure consistent policy management for users, regardless of where their identities reside. Features like automated synchronization and granular access control ensure that security standards are maintained across the infrastructure.

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Transparency and Security Through Logging

IAM systems also meet the documentation and traceability requirements essential for NIS2. They provide detailed reports on access rights and user activities, which are critical for internal audits and reporting to authorities. In the event of a security incident, logging allows for a comprehensive analysis of causes and impacts.

Challenges of the NIS2 Directive

FirstWare IDM-Portal: Optimal Support for NIS2-Compliant Processes

The FirstWare IDM-Portal by FirstAttribute is a powerful solution that helps companies optimize user and permission management.

Its functionalities include dynamic user management, automated workflows, and role-based access control (RBAC). This makes the IDM-Portal an efficient and secure approach to managing user identities.

Advantages of Using the IDM-Portal as an IAM System

• Time savings: Automated processes relieve IT teams.
• Improved security: Minimized human errors through standardized workflows.
• Compliance support: Fulfillment of legal requirements, including documentation obligations.

Quick Onboarding and User Management:

A central aspect of implementing NIS2 is ensuring that user accounts are managed correctly and securely. The IDM-Portal allows new user accounts to be created quickly and error-free by automatically generating dynamic attributes such as samAccountName or UserPrincipalName.

This automation reduces human errors and ensures a uniform data structure. HR staff can make changes to user accounts without needing extensive IT knowledge, relieving the IT department and accelerating processes.

Efficient Permission Management:

According to the NIS2 directive, precise and documented control of access rights is required. The IDM-Portal enables the automated assignment of permissions via department groups, ensuring that users only have access to resources relevant to them.

The integration of role-based access control (RBAC) allows for detailed control of permissions and management of access to sensitive data in line with compliance requirements.

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Delegation and Self-Service:

Another unique feature of the IDM-Portal is its ability to delegate routine tasks such as managing group memberships or resetting passwords to non-IT staff. This relieves the IT department without compromising security. At the same time, employees can independently make basic changes via an intuitive web interface, increasing data accuracy and eliminating waiting times.

Automated Logging and Audit Capability:

Compliance with NIS2 requirements necessitates a thorough traceability of all security-relevant actions. The IDM-Portal offers comprehensive logging functions that document changes to user accounts and permissions in real time. These logs not only support internal audits but also the required reporting to authorities in case of a security incident.

Integration of Hybrid IT Environments:

For companies operating both on-premises and in cloud environments, theIDM-Portal’s ability to seamlessly integrate Active Directory (AD) and Entra ID is particularly important. This feature ensures that security standards are consistently adhered to in both environments, and users can be managed centrally.

With these features, the FirstWare IDM-Portal offers a comprehensive solution that not only helps companies meet the requirements of the NIS2 directive but also optimizes processes and enhances security standards in the long term.

Conclusion: NIS2 as an Opportunity for Stable IT Infrastructures

Without an IAM system, companies expose their IT infrastructure to significant risks. Manual identity management is not only time-consuming but also error-prone, potentially resulting in non-compliance with legal requirements. IAM systems, on the other hand, provide a centralized platform that combines efficiency, security, and transparency. For companies affected by NIS2, using such a system is not an optional luxury but a strategic necessity to defend against growing cyber threats while meeting legal requirements.

Integrating IAM systems and implementing NIS2 requirements not only improves IT security but also creates a robust security architecture in the long term. The resulting transparency, control, and responsiveness form the foundation for sustainable cyber resilience, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and the stability of critical systems. Thus, NIS2 is far more than a bureaucratic mandate; it is an opportunity to take IT security to the next level.

Learn More About the FirstWare IDM-Portal

The FirstWare IDM-Portal is a tailor-made solution for Identity and Access Management (IAM).

It enables automated management of users and their permissions, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

The solution integrates all key requirements of the IAM process and allows for quick, centralized access to identity and directory services.

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