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ISO 27001 vs NIS2 and DORA: Aligning Compliance Strategies
In 2025, compliance is no longer a box-ticking exercise—it’s a strategic function that ensures business resilience, stakeholder trust, and uninterrupted service delivery. For many SMEs in regulated sectors, the challenge lies in aligning overlapping regulations like ISO 27001 vs NIS2 and DORA without overburdening internal teams.
At Spector IT, we recently hosted a live webinar unpacking these frameworks and how businesses can streamline their approach to remain compliant while still enabling growth.
This article distils those key insights and breaks down how your organisation can navigate ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA effectively—especially if you’re in sectors like finance, healthcare, construction, or aviation.
Understanding the Three Frameworks:
ISO 27001: Building Your Information Security Foundation
ISO 27001 is a globally recognised standard focused on managing information security risks. For many SMEs, this framework is the bedrock of their cybersecurity programme. It defines a structured approach to protecting data—covering policies, staff awareness, risk assessments, and incident response.
SMEs certified under ISO 27001 are seen as trustworthy partners, especially when handling sensitive client data or working within regulated supply chains. For Irish companies eyeing growth or contracts with government or enterprise clients, ISO 27001 is often a prerequisite.
Further reading: Why ISO 27001 is Essential for Building Trust and Meeting Security Expectations
NIS2: Sector-Specific Cybersecurity Obligations
The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is the EU’s legislation aimed at boosting cybersecurity across essential and important service providers. It applies to sectors such as healthcare, transport, energy, and financial services—and introduces stricter requirements, including:
- Faster breach reporting (within 24 hours of detection)
- Governance accountability at board level
- Mandatory risk assessments and technical controls
NIS2 places emphasis on business continuity and supplier security, with enforcement beginning in Ireland by October 2024. Many of our clients fall under this directive, and we’ve already started gap assessments for several organisations.
Reference: European Commission – NIS2 Directive Overview
Related reading: ISO27001 vs NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Why choose one?
DORA: Tailored for the Financial Sector
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is specific to financial entities such as banks, insurance companies, and investment firms. It addresses operational disruptions, third-party risks, and digital resilience.
While ISO 27001 covers information security broadly, DORA zooms into:
- ICT risk management
- Incident classification and reporting
- Penetration testing
- Oversight of third-party service providers
Financial institutions must be compliant by January 2025. For directors and senior management, the burden of responsibility is high, with potential supervisory scrutiny from European regulators.
Reference: European Commission – DORA Regulation
Related reading: Top Challenges for Small Financial Firms in Achieving DORA Compliance
Where the Frameworks Overlap—and Why That Matters
At first glance, having to comply with all three might feel overwhelming. But there’s good news: these frameworks share a common foundation.
This overlap presents an opportunity: instead of treating ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA as separate projects, SMEs can create a unified compliance strategy that maps controls across all three.
How to Build a Unified Compliance Roadmap
- Start with ISO 27001 as Your Baseline
If you’re already certified or working towards ISO 27001, you have a solid foundation. Most of the technical and organisational measures required under NIS2 and DORA are already part of ISO 27001 Annex A controls.
We recommend updating your risk assessment processes and incident response plans to meet the specific reporting timelines introduced in NIS2 and DORA.
- Assign Ownership to Senior Leadership
Both NIS2 and DORA introduce personal accountability for directors and board members. Now is the time to:
- Brief your leadership team on their obligations
- Assign an accountable person for cyber risk oversight
- Ensure board-level visibility on risk registers and incident updates
- Map Controls Across All Frameworks
Use a control-mapping matrix to align ISO 27001 clauses with NIS2 and DORA obligations. This avoids duplication of effort and makes audits easier.
We’ve helped several clients build these mappings into their internal documentation and compliance trackers. If you’d like support, speak to our team.
- Implement Continuous Monitoring and Testing
Both DORA and NIS2 require ongoing testing of systems and controls. Consider:
- Conducting annual penetration tests
- Regular phishing simulations for staff
- Automated vulnerability scans
Our clients have found that integrating Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview offers excellent visibility and compliance reporting.
- Prepare for External Scrutiny
NIS2 will be enforced by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in Ireland. DORA introduces regulatory oversight from the Central Bank and European Supervisory Authorities. Prepare for possible audits by:
- Keeping evidence logs
- Documenting decisions and risk acceptances
- Creating internal compliance dashboards
Key Takeaways from Our ISO 27001 Webinar
During our recent webinar, we were joined by compliance experts who shared the following insights:
- ISO 27001 remains the most efficient path to multi-framework compliance. It’s recognised internationally and is already aligned with NIS2 and DORA fundamentals.
- Many SMEs underestimate the board’s liability. Especially under NIS2, failure to act on known cyber risks can lead to significant reputational and financial damage.
- Unified reporting and governance tools reduce burnout. Leveraging tools like Microsoft Purview, SharePoint, and Power BI centralises evidence and makes compliance less of a fire-fighting exercise.
FAQ: ISO 27001 vs NIS2 and DORA
Q: Do I need all three—ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA?
A: It depends on your sector. If you’re in finance, DORA is mandatory. If you’re a healthcare provider or infrastructure operator, NIS2 will apply. ISO 27001 is voluntary but aligns closely with both, making it a strategic investment.
Q: Will ISO 27001 certification cover my NIS2 or DORA obligations?
A: Not entirely. ISO 27001 covers many controls, but you’ll need to address specific reporting requirements and sector-specific expectations from the regulators.
Q: What’s the deadline for compliance?
A: NIS2 enforcement begins in October 2024 in Ireland. DORA goes live in January 2025. ISO 27001 certification can be done on your own timeline, but planning now ensures readiness.
Ready to Take Action?
Achieving ISO 27001 certification is a powerful way to enhance your business’s reputation and build trust with clients, partners, and stakeholders. In a world where information security is increasingly important, this certification is not just a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity. Start your journey towards certification today and reap the benefits of a stronger, more trustworthy business.
Whether you’re looking to align, transition from ISO 27001:2013, or get certified from scratch, our team is here to help.
Book a free discovery call with our experts
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