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NIS2 transport industry guidelines

Audits and certifications in the transport sector

The transport sector has been designated by the European Union as an essential sector under the new NIS2 directive. This designation introduces stricter cybersecurity and supervision requirements. But what exactly does this mean for your organization? And how can you prepare your organization for NIS2 transport industry guidelines, particularly when it comes to information security?

NIS2 and the transport industrymeet the required standards.

An important feature of the NIS2 Directive is its emphasis on chain responsibility. Cybersecurity extends beyond your organization to include suppliers, partners, and service providers, who must also meet the required standards.

Even if you are not directly subject to NIS2, a client may require you to provide insight into your security measures. Companies that are themselves subject to NIS2 impose these requirements throughout the entire chain. This makes the NIS2 directive essential for all stakeholders in the transport industry.

Is your organization subject to NIS2?

For medium-sized and large organizations in the transport sector that play an essential role in society and the economy, NIS2 does apply directly. These include airlines, rail network operators, road transport operators, and shipping companies.

Scope criteria

Organizations fall under the directive if they:

Have at least 50 employees or an annual turnover of more than €10 million.
Form an indispensable link in the transport chain.
Influencing public or economic systems in the event of disruptions, such as station management or traffic control.

If your organization falls within this scope, compliance with NIS2 is mandatory.

What does NIS2 require from transport companies?

The NIS2 Directive introduces two key obligations to strengthen digital resilience in sectors such as transport.

As an organization, you are responsible for taking technical, organizational, and operational measures to protect against risks. For applications of the NIS2 transport industry guidelines, this includes:

Risk analysis and prevention
Identify vulnerabilities and implement measures to reduce them. For example, conducting periodic audits and incident simulations.
Ensure real-time data security
Protect sensitive data flows on a large scale, such as traffic information and loading and unloading systems in logistics.
Supplier management and supply chain security
Ensure that all third parties to whom you outsource services comply with NIS2 standards.
Advanced access management
Protect critical infrastructure by implementing strict access controls and encryption.
Incident response and recovery plans
Develop and test protocols to minimize damage during cyberattacks.

Incidents that disrupt your IT systems and, consequently, transport operations must be reported in accordance with NIS2 regulations. This process requires companies to communicate clearly and promptly with regulators. You must report:

Serious cybersecurity incidents within 24 hours .
Less critical issues within 72 hours .
A comprehensive report within one month, including root cause analysis and improvement plans.

These reporting structures enable the sector to respond in a coordinated manner and limit the consequences of cyber incidents.

ISO 27001 as a foundation for NIS2 within the transport industry

Whether you are or aren't subject to NIS2: ISO 27001 certification provides a solid foundation for information security. ISO 27001 doesn’t guarantee full NIS2 compliance but offers a clear, internationally recognized framework to meet remaining obligations efficiently.

Advantages of ISO 27001

When you organization is not subjected to NIS2:
With ISO 27001 certification, you demonstrate that you manage risks and have processes in place in accordance with international best practices. This instills confidence in customers and chain partners and helps you meet the requirements set by the supply chain.
Subject to NIS2: ISO 27001 helps you to implement the duty of care set out in the directive in a structured manner. It enables you to demonstrably safeguard policy, risk analyses, and security measures. For full compliance, this must be supplemented with NIS2-specific requirements, such as reporting procedures and sectoral guidelines. In some cases, it may be useful to apply additional standards, such as IEC 62443 for industrial control systems.

DEKRA as your certification partner

At DEKRA, we specialize in navigating the challenges of NIS2 implementation in the transport sector. As an accredited institution, we conduct independent audits and certifications that contribute to demonstrable compliance.

With ISO 27001 as your foundation, you take a big step toward compliance with NIS2 while strengthening your position in the supply chain.

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