Short answer

The NIS2 directive requires organizations in essential and important sectors to implement risk-based cybersecurity measures, including threat detection and incident response. Infostealers are one of the primary vectors for initial access, making infostealer monitoring directly relevant to NIS2 compliance.

What NIS2 requires

NIS2 mandates that organizations implement measures for risk analysis, incident handling, supply chain security, and vulnerability management. The directive emphasizes early detection and rapid response. Organizations must be able to detect threats and respond to incidents in a timely manner, which directly applies to infostealer infections.

Why infostealers are a NIS2 risk

Infostealers are one of the most effective ways attackers gain initial access to organizations. IBM's X-Force reported a shift from 'hacking in' to 'logging in', and infostealers as the primary enabler. For organizations in NIS2 scope (energy, transport, healthcare, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and more), this represents a concrete threat that requires monitoring.

Additionally, NIS2's supply chain requirements mean that third-party infections affecting your systems are also in scope. An infostealer on a supplier's device that compromises access to your systems is a risk you need to manage.

How infostealer monitoring supports compliance

Monitoring criminal marketplaces for stolen sessions directly supports NIS2's detection and response requirements. It provides early warning of compromised access, enabling session revocation before exploitation. Passguard is already used by organizations in NIS2-relevant sectors including energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Want to assess your current exposure? Run a free scan at passguard.com.