How the NIS2 directive affects agri-food companies in 2025

The NIS2 directive is here to stay. And if you work in the agri-food sector, you'd better take it seriously.

At GrayHats, we've been helping industrial companies protect their operations for years, but we've never seen so much regulatory movement as we have now.

Europe has decided to raise the bar, and many organisations that were previously off the radar are now required to comply. Among them, agri-food companies.

Why does it directly affect your agri-food business?

The NIS2 recognises food production, processing and distribution as critical sectors. This means that if your company operates in any of these areas and meets certain size criteria, it will be subject to the requirements of the directive.

The NIS2 applies mainly to medium-sized and large companies. However, it is prudent for small businesses to consider implementing cybersecurity measures as well, given the growing number of threats in the sector.

Risks specific to the agri-food sector

The agri-food sector faces unique cybersecurity challenges:

• Supply chain disruption: A cyber-attack can paralyse production, affecting the distribution and availability of essential products.
• Data manipulation: Tampering with information on crops, production processes or logistics can have devastating consequences.
• Intellectual property theft: Innovations in farming techniques or recipes can be targeted by cybercriminals.

Key obligations under NIS2

If your company falls under the scope of NIS2, you must:

• Implement appropriate cybersecurity measures: This includes system and network protection, risk management and incident response.
• Report security incidents: Report any significant incidents to the relevant authorities within a specified timeframe.
• Ensure business continuity: Develop plans to ensure operability in the event of cyber-attacks.
• Senior management responsibility: Senior management will be responsible for ensuring compliance and may face sanctions in case of negligence.

Recommended steps for agri-food companies

• Risk assessment: Identify and understand the specific digital threats facing your business.
• Training and awareness: Train your team in secure practices and promote a culture of cybersecurity.
• Implement technical and organisational measures: From firewalls to access policies, make sure you have the right tools and procedures in place.
• Collaborate with experts: Partnering with cybersecurity specialists, such as GrayHats, can make it easier to adapt to NIS2 and strengthen your security posture.

The NIS2 directive represents a challenge, but also an opportunity for agri-food companies to strengthen their digital resilience and protect their value chain.

At GrayHats, we are committed to accompanying you in this process, designing a strategy tailored to your needs and offering the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate this new regulatory landscape.

Want to learn more about how NIS2 impacts your agri-food business? Contact us today and find out how we can help you comply and strengthen your cybersecurity.