The Cyber Resilience Regulation (CER) is a recent measure adopted by the European Union to strengthen the resilience of organisations against cyber threats. It was introduced in response to growing concerns about the effectiveness of existing cyber security measures and the need for a more structured and proactive approach to cyber threats.
Its purpose is to create a secure and resilient environment against cyber attacks by implementing higher standards of security and resilience across the European Union. It focuses on the ability of organisations to withstand, prepare for and recover from cyber incidents.
Who is it addressed to?
The CER Regulation affects a wide range of organisations, including:
- Operators of essential services: SSimilar to the NIS Directive, the CER Regulation targets critical sectors that have a fundamental impact on society and the economy.
- Digital service providers and critical infrastructure operators: Includes companies whose services are of vital importance in the digital ecosystem.
- Public administrations: Government agencies must also comply with CER requirements to ensure the security of their services.
Goals
- Increasing organizational resilience: Implementing a proactive approach to cyber threat management.
- Improve response capability: Facilitate preparation and planning to respond to cyber incidents.
- Promote cooperation and information exchange: Strengthen collaboration between different actors and organisations to improve cybersecurity at European level.
Main features of the CER Regulation
CER seeks not only to prevent cyberattacks, but also to ensure that organizations are able to maintain normal operations even during incidents.
Organizations are required to implement a risk management system that addresses cyber threats on an ongoing basis, adapting processes and practices as new challenges emerge.
Companies must have well-defined protocols that include the identification, response and rapid recovery of any security incident.
Organizations should undergo periodic risk assessments and audits to evaluate the effectiveness of their cybersecurity policies and procedures.
The CER also requires periodic reporting on the cybersecurity status of organizations to the competent authorities.
How to comply with the CER
Develop a Resilience Plan
Create a clear plan that sets out steps to protect against, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.
Training and drills
Conducting security incident simulation exercises helps test the effectiveness of plans and staff preparedness.
Continuous monitoring
Implement monitoring solutions that provide visibility and early detection of anomalies or cyber incidents.
Update of policies and procedures
Maintain up-to-date security policies and procedures, ensuring they align with current best practices and regulations.
Compliance with the CER Regulation is mandatory for affected organisations. Non-compliance may result in fines, correction requirements and penalties imposed by the competent authorities, as well as a potential loss of trust by consumers and business partners.
The CER Regulation is an important step towards a safer and more resilient Europe in terms of cybersecurity. It establishes a framework that incentivizes organizations to be proactive in managing cyber threats and ensuring they have the capacity to react and recover from incidents. Complying with the CER not only ensures operational continuity, but also builds trust in the digital environment, benefiting both businesses and citizens alike.
