As a small business owner, you might think: “NIS2? That’s for big enterprises, right?” Technically, yes – the NIS2 directive targets critical infrastructure and large organizations. But here’s the reality: if you do business with larger companies, NIS2 will absolutely affect you.
Supply chain responsibility: why small suppliers are being held accountable
Large companies falling under NIS2 must demonstrate that their entire supply chain is secure. This means that you, as a small supplier, will soon need to prove that your cybersecurity is in order.
Real examples of small businesses already experiencing this:
- IT support companies (5-8 employees) serving hospitals or government agencies – their clients now require proof of security measures before contract renewal
- Software developers (3-10 employees) building applications for financial institutions – they’re being asked for security certifications they’ve never heard of
- Marketing agencies (6-12 employees) handling customer data for retail chains – they’re facing questionnaires about data protection and incident response plans
- Logistics firms (8-15 employees) transporting goods for manufacturing companies – they need to demonstrate secure handling of supply chain data
If you’re a small business supplying larger enterprises, you’ll increasingly be required to demonstrate your cybersecurity posture. No proof? No contract.
But even if you’re not in the supply chain…
Here’s the thing: having your cybersecurity basics in order is simply good business, regardless of NIS2 requirements.
Think about it:
- 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack go out of business within 6 months
- The average cost of a data breach for an SME is €35,000-€50,000
- Your customers increasingly care about how you protect their data
- Insurance companies are requiring security measures before issuing cyber insurance
Getting your security house in order isn’t just about compliance – it’s about survival and competitive advantage.
Enter NIS2 Supply Chain 10: a pragmatic standard for real businesses
This is where NIS2 Supply Chain 10 becomes interesting for small businesses. Unlike complex ISO certifications or expensive audits, NIS2 Supply Chain 10 is designed to be practical and achievable.
It focuses on 10 essential security controls that every business should have:
- Asset management – Know what devices and data you have
- Access control – Who has access to what, and why
- Password policy – Strong, unique passwords (yes, really)
- Multi-factor authentication – That extra layer that stops 99% of account hacks
- Software updates – Keep your systems patched
- Backup & recovery – Can you survive if ransomware hits tomorrow?
- Security awareness – Your team is your first line of defense
- Incident response – What do you do when something goes wrong?
- Supplier management – Know who you’re working with
- Documentation – Prove you’ve done all of the above
Notice something? These aren’t exotic security measures requiring a dedicated IT team. These are fundamentals that any small business can implement.
The business case: from cost center to revenue generator
Here’s how implementing these basics transforms your business:
Immediate benefits:
- Win contracts that require security demonstrability
- Reduce your cyber insurance premiums (or qualify for coverage at all)
- Prevent costly breaches and downtime
- Build customer trust and loyalty
Long-term advantages:
- Position yourself as a reliable, professional partner
- Enter markets and supply chains previously closed to you
- Create operational efficiency (good security practices = good business practices)
- Sleep better at night knowing you’re protected
Getting started: it’s easier than you think
You don’t need a CISO or a six-figure budget. Start here:
- Take inventory – List your devices, software, and data. You can’t protect what you don’t know you have.
- Enable MFA everywhere – Microsoft 365, your bank, your CRM. This one step prevents most account compromises.
- Train your team – 90% of cyberattacks start with people, not technology. Regular security awareness training is non-negotiable.
- Implement backups – Test them monthly. Ransomware is a when, not if.
- Document everything – Create simple policies and procedures. They don’t need to be perfect; they need to exist.
- Consider NIS2 Supply Chain 10 – It gives you a roadmap and proof that you’ve done the work.
The bottom line
NIS2 might be aimed at big enterprises, but its ripple effects are reaching every small business in their supply chain. Rather than seeing this as a burden, smart entrepreneurs are recognizing it as an opportunity.
The businesses that get ahead of this now will:
- Win contracts their competitors can’t
- Build resilience that protects their future
- Demonstrate professionalism that attracts better clients
- Sleep soundly knowing they’re protected
Cybersecurity isn’t just about compliance anymore – it’s about being the kind of business that others want to work with. And that’s always been good business.
At Lupasafe, we help small and medium businesses implement practical security measures that protect their operations and open new opportunities. Because security shouldn’t be complicated – it should just work.
