NIS2, strategically important, but how do you start?

For many entrepreneurs and executives, NIS2 is now clearly more than a legal obligation. The new European directive directly impacts digital resilience and the continuity of essential business processes. Non-compliance is not a theoretical risk: sanctions, reputational damage, and disruptions to daily operations are real threats.

At the same time, many business leaders feel a certain reluctance. NIS2 touches upon IT, cybersecurity, and compliance – areas where most executives are not actively involved daily. Where one is accustomed to focusing on strategy, growth, and profitability, cybersecurity quickly feels technical and intangible. This is understandable. Terminology, frameworks, threat models, and audit requirements can make the subject unnecessarily complex.

The good news, however, is that a good start does not require in-depth IT knowledge at all. In fact, a solid foundation can be laid with just a few manageable steps. Not only for one's own organization, but also for the suppliers and partners on whom one depends.

Simplicity as a Starting Point, Not Technical Perfection

NIS2 fundamentally revolves around governance, responsibilities, risks, and continuity. Technology plays a role, but it is not the starting point. Those who immediately focus on firewalls and technical controls often miss the bigger picture. The real first step is to gain insight into dependencies: who or what is crucial for the organization's functioning?

This insight can be obtained surprisingly easily. Without delving deep into technology, there are three practical routes to quickly gain an overview of suppliers and risks.

Route 0: Starting with Known Suppliers

The most accessible approach is simply to start with what everyone already knows. Which suppliers are regularly mentioned within the organization? Which parties are already on the radar, formally or informally, because they are critical to business operations?

This route has clear advantages. No extensive inventory or consultation is needed, yet it immediately provides insight into suppliers with real impact. The result is an initial, tangible overview that guides further exploration. For many organizations, this is the fastest way to get a feel for risk and dependency.

Route 1: Starting from the Organizational Chart

A slightly more structured, yet still very accessible approach is to work from the existing organizational chart. For each responsible party, one can simply ask: which suppliers are essential for your role or department? What are you most dependent on? And what happens if this supplier temporarily fails?

This method works because the organizational chart already exists and is deliberately structured. You speak with people who know exactly what they need to do their job. Inventorying suppliers by function takes relatively little time but provides a reliable and human-centered overview that is immediately useful for executive decision-making.

Route 2: Starting with the Most Important Processes

For organizations that are further along, a process-oriented approach offers more depth. This involves first identifying crucial business processes. Then, for each process, it is determined which systems and suppliers are involved, who is internally responsible, and where the critical dependencies lie.

This route requires a bit more effort but also yields the most detailed picture. Especially when processes are well-documented and ownership is clear, this approach can be executed quickly and accurately.

Which Route Suits Your Organization?

Which route is most suitable depends on the situation. Those who need a quick overview or already have a good sense of critical suppliers can easily start with Route 0. Those seeking structure without much extra work will find Route 1 a logical first step. And those aiming for maximum depth should choose Route 2.

In practice, a combination often proves most effective: starting with Route 0 or Route 1 and later adding elements of Route 2 for more depth.

What Does This Specifically Yield?

This inventory forms a solid foundation. The result is an overview of critical suppliers, clear internal responsibilities, and distinct priorities in dependencies. This creates a logical starting point for risk analysis, policy, and ultimately NIS2-compliant supply chain security.

Perhaps even more important: you create organization-wide awareness without anyone needing to be an IT specialist. And that is precisely what NIS2 demands.

RiskStudio is ready to provide support.