NIS2 in the Factory Hall: Compliance through Automation

The grace period for cybersecurity in the industry is coming to an end. With the new EU directive NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive), significantly more companies are now classified as “essential” or “important” entities. This means that the responsibility for the security of Operational Technology (OT) is directly in the focus of management – with the threat of severe fines. However, NIS2 should not only be seen as a regulatory burden. It is an opportunity to replace outdated, insecure structures in production with modern, resilient standards.

Why OT Has Been a Special Case

In the factory hall, different rules often applied compared to the office: “Never touch a running system.” Many controls run on outdated operating systems, and patches were avoided for fear of production downtimes. In a connected Industry 4.0, this isolation is an illusion. A hacked edge gateway can now become the gateway for the entire corporate network. The core requirements of NIS2 for production:

• Supply chain security: Transparency over used software components (SBOM).
• Handling security incidents: Quick response capability in case of attacks.
• Cryptography and encryption: Securing data streams between machine and Cloud. Kubernetes as an Enabler for NIS2 Compliance

How does a Cloud-Native infrastructure help meet these strict legal requirements without hindering production? The key lies in standardization and automation.

1. Automatic Patch Management Without Downtime

In a classic environment, patching an application is risky. In a Kubernetes cluster, we use rolling updates. A new, secure version of the software is started while the old one is still running. Only when the new version is stable is the switch made. This way, you close security gaps (CVEs) while the machine continues to produce.

2. Microsegmentation and Zero Trust

NIS2 demands better network security. Within a cluster, network policies can be defined. This allows you to precisely specify: “This sensor may only communicate with this analysis Container – and nothing else.” Even if part of the system is compromised, the attack remains locally limited (Blast Radius Minimization).

3. Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and Transparency

By using containers, you always know exactly which software versions are running at which location. This transparency is a prerequisite for NIS2. Tools in the cluster automatically scan images for vulnerabilities before they are even deployed. Cybersecurity as a Competitive Advantage

Those who see NIS2 merely as a checklist for the legal department miss potential. A production secured according to modern standards is:

• More resilient against ransomware.
• More attractive to major customers who need to secure their own supply chain.
• More agile, as new digital services can be rolled out faster on a secure platform. Conclusion: From Reacting to Acting

Implementing NIS2 in OT requires a change in mindset. Moving away from the “moat mentality” (firewall) to a layered defense within the infrastructure. Cloud-Native technologies like Kubernetes offer the perfect toolkit to harmonize security and availability.

FAQ – NIS2 Facts for Decision Makers

Who is affected by the NIS2 directive in the industry?

Affected are companies with 50 or more employees or €10 million in annual revenue in critical sectors such as energy, transport, production, chemicals, and waste management.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

In addition to personal liability of the management, fines of up to 10 million euros or 2% of the worldwide annual turnover are threatened.

Can Kubernetes help with NIS2 certification?

Yes, as it provides features like microsegmentation, automated patching, and centralized identity management in a technically standardized manner, significantly simplifying documentation and implementation.