NIS 2 Directive - Digital Compliance Cybersecurity

Fábio Meseiro
Dec 4
3 min read

NIS 2 refers to European Union’s Directive 2022/2555, which updates and expands the original NIS Directive. Its goal is to improve cybersecurity across critical sectors and essential services by introducing stricter requirements for risk management, governance, and incident reporting.

In Portugal, the transposition of NIS2 has been published — Decree-Law No. 125/2025 of December 4 — making it imperative for organizations to take action. This marks a decisive step toward strengthening cybersecurity at national and international levels, ensuring resilience for the State, the economy, and the digital trust of citizens. For organizations, this is the starting signal: the journey toward compliance is no longer optional, it’s mandatory. ⚠️

🎯Key objectives include reducing vulnerabilities in networks and systems, enhancing cooperation between public and private entities, and increasing accountability at leadership level.

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue, it’s a business-critical priority. Non-compliance can lead to security risks, significant financial losses due to operational disruptions or penalties, compromised confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, networks, and systems, potentially resulting in the total loss of essential services like energy, telecommunications, or transport.

Compliance ensures business continuity, protection of sensitive data, and trust from customers, partners, and regulators.

What is at stake:

Compromise of national security.
Significant financial losses.
Threats to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, networks, and systems, which can result in the complete loss of essential services such as energy, telecommunications, or transportation.

Scope and Covered Entities

Applies to a large part of Public Administration and essential sectors.
Rules are proportional to the size and relevance of the entity.
Excluded: entities linked to national security, defense, intelligence services, and public safety.

Impacts on the Private Sector

Generalization of cybersecurity culture in businesses.
Obligation to adopt measures proportional to size and relevance.
Inclusion of more sectors and entities compared to previous regime.
Mandatory risk management based on pre-defined standards.
Possible cybersecurity certification, creating:
- Presumption of compliance.
- Greater trust from clients and partners.
- Positive economic impact through certification market development.

Impacts on Public Administration

Significant part of Public Administration is covered.
Regime adapted to public entity size and type.
Adopting proportionate prevention and response measures.
Exclusion only for sectors related to national security, defense, intelligence services, and public safety.
Integration into national instruments:
- Cybersecurity Strategy.
- Crisis Response Plan.
- Cybersecurity Framework.

Cross-Cutting Impacts

Increased accountability for incidents.
Obligation to cooperate with supervisory authorities.
Reinforced public-private collaboration.
Need for early preparation, as requirements will be progressively enforced.

💡NIS 2 is not just a regulatory obligation, it’s an opportunity to strengthen resilience, protect critical services, and build trust in the digital economy.

Organizations that act now will be better positioned to manage risks and ensure compliance within the defined timelines.

Start with our NIS 2 Quick Gap Analysis!

Within 10 days, your organization will receive a detailed Gap Analysis comparing your existing technical processes and procedures with the requirements of the NIS 2 regulatory framework.

Your Benefits

Gain immediate understanding of compliance risks and required corrective measures.
Strengthen your brand image by demonstrating responsibility and compliance.
Be better prepared for audits and security verifications.

We Do

One CISO survey examining 190 controls.
One user survey assessing 24 controls.
One interview with the CISO.

You Get

2 self-assessment reports.
1 Gap Analysis report.

Navigating NIS 2 compliance can be complex, but Unipartner is here to support your organization, no matter your industry and sector of activity.

We offer a modular, risk-based cybersecurity management approach to simplify this journey: