With geopolitical tensions rising, it’s no surprise that cyber-attacks are on the increase. This new reality has led to new regulations, and for many businesses, NIS2 is at the top of that list. 

It can be tempting to view NIS2 as just another complex compliance checkbox to tick. In reality, it’s a framework designed for a crucial purpose: to guarantee your business continuity and protect the trust your customers have in you. A lot of your company’s most valuable data lives in your databases, but how secure are they really? The last thing you want is for that data to be unavailable, or worse, leaked. 

In this guide, we’ll break down what NIS2 actually means for your databases and share some practical first steps to get you on the right track. 

The five pillars of NIS2 

At its core, NIS2 gives you a structured way to think about security. It’s built on five key pillars that create a continuous cycle of improvement. 

1. Identify 

You can’t protect what you don’t know you have. So, start by getting a complete inventory of your databases, servers, and the data they hold. With the rise of cloud platforms, this also means asking tough questions: do you know where all your data is physically located, and which regulations apply? 

2. Protect 

Once you know what you have, you can start to protect it. This is where you implement security measures, manage access rights, and harden your systems against threats. 

3. Detect 

You’ve built your defences, but you still need to know if someone is trying to get through them. That’s why you need monitoring and alerting in place to spot suspicious activity. 

4. Respond 

When you detect a problem, you need a plan. Who do you call? What are the immediate steps to contain the threat? A clear action plan is essential to minimise damage. 

5. Recover 

If the worst happens, how do you get back to business? This pillar connects directly to your business continuity plan, so you you can restore your databases and get your operations running again as quickly as possible.
 

Where to start: low-hanging fruit 

Getting fully NIS2 compliant can feel like a huge project. The good news is, you can make a significant impact right away by tackling the “low-hanging fruit.” Start with these four fundamental best practices to address the most common vulnerabilities. 

Patch your systems 

An unpatched system is an open invitation for attackers. So, make it a priority to regularly apply the latest security patches to your databases and operating systems. This closes known security holes before they can be exploited and is one of the most effective actions you can take. 

If you’re not sure how to get started, make sure to check out our whitepapers on updating Oracle and SQL Server databases. 

Implement a strong password policy 

Weak or reused passwords are still one of the easiest ways for attackers to gain access. You can create a simple but effective barrier by enforcing a strong policy with minimum password lengths and complexity requirements. 

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 

A password alone is a single point of failure, so definitely consider adding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This adds a second layer of verification, because users will have to prove their identity with something they have (like a phone) in addition to something they know (their password). It can stop an attack in its tracks, even if a password has been compromised. 

Encrypt your data 

Your final line of defence should always assume that an attacker might find a way in. If a bad actor does manage to get their hands on your database files, encryption ensures that the data itself is unreadable and useless to them. So, make sure to encrypt your data at rest! 

How we can help 

Complying with NIS2 can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ll help you through the process with our three-pillar approach: 

1. First, we set up an in-depth database security review to create a clear picture of your current posture and identify areas for improvement. 

1. Then, our experts assist you in implementing the necessary security measures, from access control to encryption, based on best practices. 

1. Afterwards, we can provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up to make sure that your database security remains strong and compliant over time.
    

Ready to stop worrying about NIS2 and start building a more secure foundation for your business? Get in touch with us to talk about your database security needs.