NIS2 Deadline Has Passed – Achieve Automated Security in M365

The deadline for the transposition of the NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Security 2) into national law passed on October 17, 2024. For Nordic Managed Service Providers (MSPs), this has created an immediate and urgent reality: the focus has shifted from planning to proof. Companies covered by the directive must now continuously demonstrate that they meet the strict security and reporting requirements—otherwise, they risk significant penalties.

This acute situation is not just a challenge but a massive growth opportunity. Octiga, as part of ARJ Distribution’s portfolio, is designed to give MSPs the tools to convert these legal requirements into a profitable, scalable, and standardized security service.

Here are three crucial ways Octiga helps Nordic MSPs manage NIS2 and strengthen their margins:

1. From Incident Chaos to 24/72-Hour Control

NIS2 has introduced strict reporting obligations. Critical entities must report significant incidents within 24 hours of discovery, followed by a detailed report within 72 hours. This timeline is almost impossible to meet with manual processes. The incident management obligation drastically increases the workload for L1 and L2 teams, which in turn pressures profit margins.

Octiga's Solution: Octiga provides continuous, round-the-clock monitoring for your customers’ Microsoft 365 environments. Through PSA integrations, Octiga replaces an "alert flood" with a single ticket enriched with all the necessary L1-friendly context. This automation:

• Reduces Mean Time to Respond (MTTR): Risks can be resolved in seconds, not weeks.

• Provides a complete audit trail: The tool reports all related system events, not just logins, with complete audit trails. This provides the forensic quality needed to meet the tight NIS2 reporting deadlines.

2. Automation Protects Your Margins

Scaling security in M365 manually is expensive. MSPs face rising labor costs and price pressure. However, automation is the most reliable strategy for increasing profitability. Studies show that MSPs can reduce overall operating costs by up to 30% by optimizing processes with AI automation.

Octiga's Solution: Octiga automates Posture Management and enforces best practices for M365 security baselines 24/7. This standardization effort, which can be deployed "in minutes," is key to scaling without suffering from "tool fatigue."

• Identity Governance (IAM): Since NIS2 explicitly requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and risk assessments, Octiga ensures that all accounts are fully enrolled in MFA and manages the decommissioning of dormant accounts. This reduces the attack surface and meets the NIS2 identity mandate.

• Risk-Free L1 Triage: By shifting basic security checks and triage from expensive L3 analysts to efficient L1 teams, you significantly reduce your labor costs, leading to 64% of MSSPs reporting improved profit margins through automation.

3. Supply Chain Security Becomes Your Sales Argument

NIS2 requires organizations to assess the security risks posed by their service providers (i.e., MSPs). Your own security hygiene becomes a critical factor in your customers' NIS2 compliance. A compromised vendor opens the door to dozens of client environments.

Octiga's Solution: By standardizing and automating M365 security with Octiga, your MSP becomes an auditable and safer vendor, creating unique strategic value in sales.

• Proof of Compliance: Octiga effortlessly generates comprehensive reports that demonstrate M365 security best practices. These reports act as a "report card" for client compliance and are necessary for their statutory audits.

• Third-Party Risk Management: Octiga guards against financial fraud and data leaks by detecting and remediating risky mailbox rules across all client environments. This is crucial for managing the supply chain risk that NIS2 requires you to address.

Partner with ARJ and Octiga: Turn Compliance into MRR

ARJ Distribution has nearly 20 years of experience and a 100% channel focus in the Nordics. We provide the localized support and market understanding you need to rapidly implement Octiga and sell NIS2-ready M365 security packages.

Stop stressing about NIS2. Start automating, scaling, and profiting from the increased demand for security. Contact ARJ Distribution today to discover how you can deploy Octiga in minutes and solidify your position as a strategic NIS2/DORA ally for your Nordic customers.