Achieving NIS2 Readiness in the Food and Drink Sector

With the NIS2 Directive expanding cybersecurity regulations to the food sector, our client, a sector lead, needed to ensure compliance. Proactive assessment was crucial to avoid significant penalties (up to €10M or 2% of global turnover) and protect operations. With our legal partner, we evaluated their existing cybersecurity processes and business functions against NIS2 requirements in preparing them for the adaptation of NIS2.

Beyond Blue in collaboration with its legal entity was engaged by a globally recognized leader in the premium beverage alcohol industry to conduct a readiness assessment for compliance with NIS2. The key objective was to evaluate the client existing cybersecurity processes and additional business aspects in line with NIS2 requirements. The assessment involved:

• Analysis of documentary evidence: Beyond Blue reviewed documents provided by the organisation to understand the current cybersecurity posture .
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• Interviews with contributors: We conducted interviews with individuals involved in the client risk management, governance, compliance, and security policy planning.
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• Targeted technical analysis: This included reviewing key technical documents, controls, risk assessments, threat modelling, and emerging technology approaches.
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• Detailed compliance review: We used a risk-based framework of best practices across the NIS2 Themes to assess Organisational readiness.

Our comprehensive approach combined documentary analysis and stakeholder interviews with targeted technical analysis. We conducted a detailed NIS2 compliance review using a risk-based framework covering all 13 key themes. This expands wider than cyber, and includes risk management, incident handling, supply chain security, access control, and cyber hygiene. Our approach addressed both technical and procedural aspects of the NIS2 framework.

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Our assessment provided critical value, especially for the client's leadership. Through empowered oversight, we equipped the board with a clear understanding of their direct legal responsibilities under NIS2, enabling informed cybersecurity governance.
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Measurable Outcomes:

• Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture: Our actionable improvement plan identified specific vulnerabilities and areas for enhancement, presenting a clear roadmap to strengthen the client's cybersecurity posture beyond basic compliance.
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• Risk Mitigation: By highlighting potential regulatory, reputational, and financial risks, we helped the client proactively address issues, significantly reducing their exposure in the event of a cyber incident. 
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• Operational Resilience: The engagement transformed NIS2 compliance into a strategic advantage, bolstering the client's security and ensuring operational resilience.

An actionable improvement plan helped to identify specific vulnerabilities and areas for enhancement, presenting a clear roadmap to strengthen their cybersecurity posture beyond basic compliance. By highlighting potential regulatory, reputational, and financial risks, we helped the client proactively address issues, significantly reducing their exposure in the event of a cyber incident.

This engagement helped the client transform NIS2 compliance into a strategic advantage, bolstering their security and ensuring operational resilience.