The NIS regulations of the United Kingdom (implementation of the NIS Directive) will take effect today in the United Kingdom. These regulations only received limited attention in the press, also due to the emphasis on the implementation of the GDPR. However, the NIS Regulations represent a significant change in the legal environment with respect to cybersecurity in the United Kingdom.

The NIS Regulations serve several purposes, including the development of the national framework and the Cyber Security Services in UK. The NIS Regulations also impose new obligations on operators of "essential services" and digital service providers with respect to the security of their networks and information systems. The companies covered by the NIS Regulations must know these obligations and their compliance, especially given that the NIS Regulations establish a strict sanctions regime for non-compliance.

Obligations are essential for operators of essential services.

According to NIS regulations, companies that meet certain threshold conditions in the energy, transport, health, and public sectors are considered essential service providers. It is also at the discretion of the competent authorities to consider a particular organization as the operator of essential services, even if those threshold conditions are not met.It also imposes the corresponding obligation to take appropriate and proportionate measures to prevent and minimize the impact of security. This will affect the security of these networks and information systems. These measures must be taken to guarantee the continuity of these services.

Essential service providers must inform their competent "competent authority" within 72 hours of any incident. It has a significant impact on the continuity of the essential services they provide. The responsible "competent authority" depends on the industry in which the essential service provider operates. Such "incidents" can include cyber-attacks, power failures, system failures and hardware failures. When determining if an incident has a significant impact, an operator must consider criteria. Such as the number of users affected by the incident, the duration of the incident and the area affected by the incident.

Obligations are essential for digital service providers.

The NIS Regulations impose similar obligations on digital service providers that offer online markets, search engines, or cyber security services in UK.

These service providers must identify appropriate and proportionate measures to address the risks to the security of the network and the information systems on which they depend. It also imposes the obligation to inform the Information Commissioner (as its competent authority) of any incident that may have a significant impact on the provision of these services.

For businesses, it is important to pay attention to the security of the personal information they store and process, especially if they come under the purview of the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR. Many businesses choose to hire cybersecurity experts through flexible formats like they meet GDPR compliance requirements. This also helps them improve their data protection and risk management over time.

there are five main reasons why it is important to protect personal data, namely: 

  •     Prevent gender-related online bullying;
  •     Prevent misuse of personal data by irresponsible parties;
  •     Avoid potential fraud;
  •     Avoid potential defamation; and
  •     Gain the right of control over personal data. 

Online fraud is happening every minute with hackers coming up with new and more advanced techniques all the time. Often victims are people who do not have any knowledge about this or also those who are not aware or trained enough in cybersecurity.  

 Weak data protection in some countries has resulted in widespread data leaks of citizen information. This is evidenced by the frequent occurrence of cybercrime cases, such as hacking and cracking (piracy) social media that leads to personal data breaches, extortion, online fraud via cell phones, and many others.  

Activities in the digital space require because we do not meet each other physically, so data becomes an online identifier. Leakage of personal data can lead to a crime because once the hackers get it, your virtual tracks can always be traced and misused. 

In the case of businesses, a breach of personal customer or employee data can be the start of serious cyber attacks or ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure. This information involves the date of birth, cell phone number, password, and other identifications.

Penalties for non-compliance

Sanctions for non-compliance with NIS standards are potentially serious. In some cases, fines of up to £ 17 million are allowed.

EU Perspective

The NIS regulations reflect the implementation of the EU NIS Directive in the United Kingdom, which is or has been incorporated into national legislation by all other EU Member States

The way in which the Directive is implemented in each EU Member State will inevitably vary. It should be noted that national legislation in some Member States may extend the concept of "essential service operators" to other sectors of social importance, such as financial services. Essential services provider must take appropriate and proportionate technical and organizational measures to manage the risks. For the security of the network they can take help from Cyber Security Company in UK. And the information systems on which their essential services depend. These measures should reflect the state of the art and provide a level of security appropriate to the risk involved.he NIS Regulations also impose new obligations on operators of "essential services" and digital service providers with respect to the security of their networks and information systems. The companies covered by the NIS Regulations must know these obligations and their compliance, especially given that the NIS Regulations establish a strict sanctions regime for non-compliance.

Therefore, it is important that a wide range of organizations working in Europe consider whether they can fall within the scope of the national legislation transposing the NIS Directive, in all the EU Member States in which they operate.