Evaluating practical, risk-based safeguards that prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber incidents
Purpose of This Domain
The Technical & Organizational Measures domain under the NIS2 Lens evaluates whether an organization has implemented practical, risk-based safeguards that prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber incidents. This domain determines whether security measures are operationally effective and enforceable, not merely documented.
In ECIL, this domain tests whether governance intent is translated into real controls that function under operational conditions. NIS2 expects measures that work, not measures that exist on paper.
Risk-Based Controls
Preventive and protective measures implemented based on assessed risk levels
Operational Support
Organizational processes that enable technical enforcement
Consistent Application
Measures applied uniformly across the entire environment
Supervisory Capability
Controls that function under regulatory scrutiny
Core Capability Areas
Technical & Organizational Measures encompass seven critical capability areas that form the foundation of operational security under NIS2 requirements.
Identity & Access Controls
Strong authentication, access governance, and privilege management
Asset & Endpoint Protection
System hardening, patching, and proportional safeguards
Network Security
Segmentation, secure communications, and connectivity control
Logging & Detection
Security event monitoring and anomaly identification
Cryptography & Data
Encryption, key management, and sensitive data handling
Secure Development
Security-integrated delivery and configuration management
Identity, Access & Authentication Controls
This capability area examines whether access to systems and data is restricted, controlled, and monitored. Identity failures often represent the fastest path to compromise, making robust access controls a critical line of defense.
Organizations must implement comprehensive measures that go beyond simple password protection to include multi-factor authentication, privileged access governance, and continuous monitoring of access-related activities.
Strong Authentication
Multi-factor authentication and access control mechanisms that verify user identity
Privileged Access Governance
Strict oversight and control of administrative and elevated access rights
Least Privilege Enforcement
Need-to-know principles applied systematically across all systems
Access Activity Monitoring
Continuous surveillance of authentication attempts and access patterns
This capability area focuses on whether assets and systems are protected proportionally to their risk and criticality. Protection strategies must align with both exposure levels and potential business impact.
Asset Identification
Comprehensive inventory and classification of all organizational assets based on criticality
System Hardening
Endpoint and system configurations strengthened against common attack vectors
Vulnerability Management
Systematic patching processes and proactive vulnerability remediation programs
Malware Defense
Multi-layered protection against malicious software and exploit attempts
This capability area evaluates how network connectivity and communications are controlled and secured. Network controls enforce containment when prevention fails, making them essential for limiting the blast radius of security incidents.
Effective network security requires careful management of both internal segmentation and external connectivity, with particular attention to remote access and third-party connections that extend the organization's attack surface.
Network Segmentation
Strategic division of networks to limit lateral movement and contain threats
Secure Protocols
Encrypted communication channels and secure protocol enforcement
Connectivity Governance
Controlled remote and third-party access with strict authorization
Configuration Control
Managed changes to network infrastructure with security review
Comprehensive capture of critical security events across all systems and applications
2
Monitoring & Correlation
Real-time analysis and pattern recognition across multiple security domains
3
Anomaly Detection
Identification of suspicious or malicious behavior through behavioral analytics
4
Alert Management
Structured escalation and response protocols for security notifications
The Logging, Monitoring & Detection capability area examines whether the organization can observe and detect security-relevant activity. Detection capability determines how quickly incidents are contained, making it a critical factor in minimizing business impact and meeting regulatory expectations for timely incident response.
The Cryptography & Data Protection capability area focuses on whether data is protected through appropriate cryptographic measures. Weak cryptography undermines trust and regulatory confidence, making robust encryption and key management essential.
Encryption Standards
Data protected at rest and in transit using industry-standard algorithms
Key Management
Secure generation, storage, and rotation of cryptographic keys
Sensitive Data Handling
Special controls for regulated and high-sensitivity information
Exception Governance
Controlled processes for cryptographic requirement deviations
The Secure Development & Configuration Practices capability area evaluates whether systems are developed and changed securely. Security must persist as systems evolve, requiring integration throughout the entire development lifecycle.
01
Secure Development
Security-by-design principles and secure coding practices
02
Testing & Validation
Security testing integrated into delivery pipelines
03
Change Management
Controlled changes with security impact assessment
Under NIS2, Technical & Organizational Measures must be proportionate to risk, enforceable in practice, and demonstrable to supervisors. This domain aligns closely with multiple regulatory and assurance frameworks.
Regulatory & Assurance Expectations
ISO/IEC 27001
Technological controls and security implementation requirements
DORA
ICT protection measures for financial sector entities
SOC 2
Security and availability safeguards for service organizations