How Microsoft 365 Prepares Your Organization for NIS2

The NIS2 cyber resilience directive has now taken effect. If your organization uses the Microsoft 365 platform and you're wondering how to comply with NIS2, we have good news. With the security features integrated into Microsoft 365, you're already well on your way to NIS2 compliance. Here's an overview of the most important features.

But first, a serious caveat. While Microsoft 365 offers many tools for NIS2 compliance, we must emphasize that every organization has unique needs. You'll definitely need a thorough risk assessment and a customized implementation strategy to ensure full compliance.

That being said, here are some ways Microsoft 365 can support your organization in complying with the NIS2 directive.

Microsoft Defender 365: advanced protection

Microsoft 365 Defender is a complete, integrated solution for protecting your digital workplace and your critical data. The suite provides an overview of the security status of your entire organization. With Microsoft 365 Defender, you can proactively detect, investigate, and respond to threats.

Microsoft 365 Defender is a platform with several key pillars:

• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint protects your computers and devices from viruses and hackers by detecting and blocking suspicious activity.
• Microsoft Defender for Office 365 protects your email and other communications from phishing attacks, malware, and other threats.
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps detects and blocks suspicious activity in cloud or SaaS apps, which we have increasingly used in the hybrid work environment.
• Microsoft Defender for Identity detects suspicious network activity and monitors user and device behavior to prevent attacks on credentials (passwords and usernames).

Microsoft Purview: Protecting business-critical data

Microsoft Purview is an integrated data management solution that helps companies protect sensitive information, such as personal data, confidential business documents, or financial data. It offers features such as Data Loss Prevention to prevent data leaks, Information Protection to encrypt and secure sensitive data, and the Compliance Center to help you manage regulatory and compliance requirements (such as NIS2). Microsoft Purview also provides comprehensive reporting, allowing you to measure and demonstrate the effectiveness of your security measures.

Microsoft Endpoint Manager Intune: advanced endpoint management

Now that we're all working more often with different devices, both for personal and professional use, proper device management is essential. Microsoft Endpoint Manager Intune helps you remotely manage and secure computers and mobile devices, so your employees can work safely, wherever they are.

Microsoft Endpoint Manager Intune also works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 Defender for Endpoint (see above). While Microsoft Defender for Endpoint focuses on detecting and preventing threats on endpoint devices, Microsoft Endpoint Manager Intune focuses primarily on managing and configuring those devices.

Microsoft Entra ID: identity and access management 

Protecting identities from cyberattacks is a top priority for IT professionals. Cyberattacks continue to increase at an alarming rate. Microsoft Entra is an integrated identity and network access solution that protects every identity and secures access to applications and resources—in any cloud or on-premises. For reference, Microsoft has been named a Leader in the Gartner Quadrant™ for Access Management for the seventh consecutive year.

Want to learn more about NIS2 and Microsoft 365?

Would you like to delve deeper into the specific aspects of NIS2 and how Microsoft 365 can help? Then be sure to contact one of our AXI experts.