In the cyber security domain, the increase of cyber-attacks alongside the acceleration of businesses’ digital transformation, drive states to deploy a more ringent regulatory framework to protect data and establish a code of conduct for businesses.
In this perspective, it is essential to view compliance as an integral component of the wider governance framework, which is grounded in international standards of an interconnected world that makes best use of already tested best practices.
Organizations can gain advantages by implementing security controls that satisfy multiple requirements and adopting a systematic approach by utilizing a structured Governance framework. The analysis of the compliance requirements, particularly those stemming from the recent European NIS II and DORA Directives, leads to the conclusion that these requirements represent only a portion of the broader set established by internationally recognized Information Security (IS) governance frameworks and standards. These frameworks universally acknowledge that risk management is fundamental, serving as the essential mechanism for determining the appropriate actions necessary to fulfil the compliance requirements that would best protect the business security operations. At the same time, continuous monitoring and the ability to manage and respond to any kind of cybersecurity incident become the cornerstone, not only to achieve compliance but also to effectively manage the cybersecurity posture of the Organization.
Managed Detection and Response
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, particularly when integrated with GRC, become essential in streamlining compliance efforts while strengthening security posture. MDR is no longer just an enhancement to existing security; it is a vital, proactive approach that enables organisations address demands of both NIS2 and DORA combined.
The NIS2 Directive, which applies to essential service operators such as healthcare, energy, and transport, builds upon NIS (initially introduced in 2016) to offer more comprehensive cybersecurity options. It obligates organisations to take risk management measures and promptly report incidents that significantly impact their operations. Meanwhile, DORA (learn more), which is about the financial sector, aims to ensure that financial entities have robust resilience against ICT-related disruptions. It includes stringent incident reporting, risk management, and governance requirements. Managed Detection and Response services offer a crucial solution for organisations seeking to comply with part of these regulations. Unlike traditional security measures that focus solely on prevention, MDR combines real-time monitoring, expert human intervention, and advanced technology to detect and respond to threats as they arise. This continuous surveillance is particularly valuable for meeting the reporting and risk management requirements of NIS2 and DORA. MDR shifts the focus from reactive to proactive cybersecurity, ensuring that organisations are equipped to anticipate threats before they can cause significant damage.
For organisations following NIS2, MDR can help them meet the directive’s requirements for incident reporting. NIS2 mandates that incidents with significant operational impacts must be reported within specific timeframes. By using MDR services, organisations benefit from real-time monitoring and rapid responses, increase resilience to threats, and also reduce the likelihood of a major incident occurring.
If an incident does need to be reported, detailed logs and forensic data provided by related tools and security analysts ensure businesses can provide regulators with the necessary information, streamlining the reporting process. MDR simplifies the complex steps involved in compliance, providing the required accuracy and timeliness in reporting what regulators demand.
Similarly, under DORA, financial entities must be able to withstand and recover from ICT-related incidents. MDR services help prevent incidents from escalating by detecting them early and mitigating the damage. With continuous monitoring and immediate response, businesses can stay compliant with DORA’s resilience and reporting requirements, while strengthening their overall security posture. In this way, MDR not only enhances security but also ensures that businesses can easily fulfil DORA’s demanding operational resilience mandates.
Comprehensive risk management and controls
Another core aspect of both NIS2 and DORA and compliance in general is the need for comprehensive risk management. Obrela’s Managed Risk & Controls (MRC) solution provides an integrated approach to identifying and mitigating risks. Both NIS2 and DORA require to assess risks regularly and maintain robust measures to address them. With MRC, Obrela delivers a proactive risk management framework, ensuring continuous evaluation of technical and operational vulnerabilities, aligning perfectly with the regulatory mandates of both frameworks. This enables organisations to foresee and address risks before they develop into incidents that could disrupt operations or cause compliance issues.
MRC adds an extra layer of protection by offering a comprehensive risk management and compliance strategy that extends beyond mere detection.
This is invaluable for compliance with NIS2’s requirement for risk management measures and DORA’s emphasis on operational resilience. MRC also alleviates the burden of compliance by offering a structured, long-term approach to risk mitigation, which satisfies regulatory requirements and reduces operational vulnerabilities.
Both regulations (NIS2 and DORA) require organisations to demonstrate that they have established appropriate governance frameworks to oversee their cybersecurity operations. The enterprise governance and compliance management capability of MRC smoothly connects all major elements of Information Security Management from framework establishment and maintenance to continuous monitoring and reviewing, delivering a robust platform specifically designed for this purpose. With embedded content and a vast number of applications and connectors, MRC enables organisations to dynamically manage their security framework, orchestrate governance and compliance procedures, assess compliance with regulations, policies and standards, and analyse information risks in real time—all under a single interface carefully designed for ease of use and easily customisable to fulfil different organisational views and roles.
MRC offers an umbrella of solutions that enable organisations to effectively manage and orchestrate various aspects of cybersecurity such as governance, risk, compliance, and operations. Obrela’s comprehensive approach streamlines these diverse facets of cybersecurity, providing organisations with a cohesive and integrated security solution.
Obrela’s MDR and MRC solutions not only fulfil the cybersecurity compliance requirements but also provide businesses with the data and insights necessary to maintain governance excellence. Organisations benefit from a clear view of their cybersecurity posture while remaining compliant with the governance aspects of any compliance regulations. This transparency in cybersecurity efforts also helps organisations during audits, minimising administrative burdens and ensuring they meet regulatory expectations.
As businesses face increasing scrutiny under compliance, merely having security measures in place is no longer enough. Organisations must demonstrate that they can detect, respond to, and recover from threats in real time on top of foreseeing and managing risk. Obrela’s combination of MDR and MRC offers a comprehensive solution for organisations seeking to streamline their compliance efforts while enhancing their overall security posture.
MDR and MRC services together not only address the immediate needs for incident detection, reporting, and response but also play a crucial role in supporting the long-term goals of operational resilience and comprehensive risk management. This gives businesses a competitive advantage in their information security management by deploying a holistic approach to manage regulatory compliance needs from a single platform, as well as the benefits of managing effectively their security operations.
Adopting a holistic approach to compliance could turn the challenges of complying with NIS2 & DORA (and other regulatory requirements) into an opportunity to enhance operations, turning the compliance requirements into a competitive business advantage.
Obrela is focusing on maximising the effectiveness of the required cyber security controls by amplyfying their adoption and not by simply implementing them. Obrela combines business-focused risk management with threat detection to deliver real-time cyber defense with Governance Risk & Compliance orchestration.
Obrela MDR has helped clients significantly reduce the mean time to detect and respond to cyberattacks, providing a solution that has been continuously acknowledged by Gartner in recent years.
Obrela MRC is an “umbrella” of risk management services that help organisations enhance their security GRC program and cyber operations with real-time visibility while improving their situational and risk awareness.
In combination, both of these solutions can be available in a single pane of glass, acting as the cornerstone of an organization’s cyber resilience, managing security and risk regardless of data volume and the technological setup.
Want to learn how this is achievable for your business? Book your demo now with one of our experts Contact Obrela and Book a Cybersecurity Demo – Obrela
