Executive Summary
The NIS2 Directive introduces stricter incident reporting obligations for organisations classified as essential and important entities in the EU. With mandatory reporting deadlines of 24 hours, 72 hours, and one month, organisations must establish robust incident response plans to ensure compliance and mitigate cybersecurity risks effectively.
This white paper provides a detailed guide to NIS2 incident reporting, outlining compliance requirements, strategies for developing an effective incident response plan, and the role of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR). We also highlight case studies on successful breach reporting and response to help organisations align with NIS2.
1. Introduction: Understanding NIS2 Incident Reporting Requirements
1.1 The Growing Need for Mandatory Cyber Incident Reporting
Cyber threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication, making timely incident detection and response critical for organisational resilience. NIS2 mandates stringent reporting obligations to enhance cybersecurity coordination across the EU and improve cyber risk management.
1.2 Key Incident Reporting Timelines Under NIS2
Under the NIS2 Directive, organisations must adhere to strict reporting deadlines:
- Within 24 hours: Submit an initial early warning to the relevant national authority upon detecting a significant cyber incident.
- Within 72 hours: Provide a detailed incident notification report, outlining the scope, impact, and possible root cause.
- Within one month: Submit a final assessment, including a post-incident review, corrective actions, and long-term mitigation measures.
Failure to comply with these deadlines can result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.
2. How to Develop an Effective Incident Response Plan
2.1 Key Components of a NIS2-Compliant Incident Response Plan
To meet NIS2 incident reporting obligations, organisations must implement a structured incident response plan (IRP) covering:
✔️ Incident Detection & Classification
- Define what constitutes a reportable incident under NIS2.
- Establish incident severity levels to prioritise response actions.
✔️ Incident Containment & Mitigation
- Implement immediate containment measures to prevent further damage.
- Deploy automated threat intelligence tools to assess the attack surface.
✔️ Formal Reporting & Communication
- Define clear internal escalation procedures.
- Establish communication protocols with regulatory authorities.
- Ensure compliance with 24h, 72h, and 1-month reporting requirements.
✔️ Post-Incident Recovery & Lessons Learned
- Conduct forensic analysis to identify root causes.
- Implement security improvements based on lessons learned.
- Update incident response documentation regularly.
3. Implementing SIEM & ITDR for NIS2 Compliance
3.1 The Role of SIEM in Incident Detection & Reporting
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions are essential for meeting NIS2 reporting requirements by:
- Aggregating security logs across IT infrastructure.
- Detecting anomalous behavior in real time.
- Automating alerts and responses to security incidents.
- Providing forensic insights for incident investigations.
3.2 Strengthening Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR)
Identity-based attacks are a major risk under NIS2. ITDR solutions help organisations:
- Identify compromised credentials and privileged account misuse.
- Detect unusual access patterns and insider threats.
- Automate real-time incident response to mitigate identity-related risks.
- Generate compliance-ready reports for regulatory submissions.
By integrating SIEM and ITDR, organisations can achieve faster threat detection, streamlined reporting, and stronger compliance posture under NIS2.
4. Case Studies: Successful NIS2 Incident Reporting Strategies
Case Study 1: Rapid 24-Hour Incident Notification in a Financial Institution
Challenge: A leading EU bank detected a ransomware attack targeting customer data.
Solution:
- Utilised SIEM to detect anomalies and trigger early alerts.
- Activated an automated response protocol, containing the malware within hours.
- Reported the incident within 24 hours to the national cybersecurity agency.
Outcome: The bank avoided major financial losses, demonstrated compliance, and minimised reputational damage.
Case Study 2: Managing a 72-Hour Breach Report in a Healthcare Provider
Challenge: A phishing attack compromised employee credentials, exposing sensitive patient records.
Solution:
- ITDR detected unusual login attempts and flagged the compromised accounts.
- Privileged Access Management (PAM) restricted unauthorised access.
- The security team submitted a detailed 72-hour report, including impact analysis and remediation measures.
Outcome: The organisation strengthened access controls, complied with NIS2 reporting, and prevented further data leaks.
Case Study 3: Final One-Month Incident Report in a Manufacturing Firm
Challenge: A supply chain attack affected IoT devices in a manufacturing plant.
Solution:
- SIEM logs were analysed to trace the attack’s origin.
- Forensic investigation identified vulnerabilities exploited by attackers.
- The final one-month report included new security measures and lessons learned.
Outcome: The company enhanced supply chain security, complied with NIS2, and strengthened vendor risk management.
5. Best Practices for NIS2 Incident Reporting Compliance
✔️ Automate incident detection and alerting with SIEM and ITDR solutions. ✔️ Train IT teams on NIS2 reporting protocols to ensure accurate and timely submissions. ✔️ Conduct regular tabletop exercises to test incident response readiness. ✔️ Establish clear escalation workflows for regulatory reporting. ✔️ Ensure vendors and third parties comply with NIS2 reporting obligations. ✔️ Maintain comprehensive documentation of incidents, responses, and security improvements.
6. Conclusion: Strengthening Cyber Resilience with NIS2 Incident Reporting
NIS2 introduces strict incident reporting requirements, making it critical for organisations to adopt efficient response strategies. By integrating SIEM, ITDR, and structured incident management plans, businesses can ensure timely reporting, compliance, and enhanced cybersecurity resilience.