NIS 2 Compliance Cost: What to Budget

Key Takeaways

Point	Summary
Typical range	15,000 to 100,000+ depending on size and maturity
Key cost drivers	Gap assessment, technology, policies, training, ongoing monitoring
ISO 27001 advantage	Organizations with ISO 27001 typically spend 30-50% less on NIS 2 compliance
Ongoing costs	Annual maintenance typically 20-40% of initial investment
Cost of non-compliance	Up to 10M or 2% of global turnover for essential entities

Quick Answer: NIS 2 compliance costs typically range from 15,000 for smaller organizations with strong existing security to over 100,000 for large enterprises starting from scratch. Organizations with ISO 27001 certification have a significant head start and lower overall costs.

Cost Breakdown by Component

Initial Assessment and Gap Analysis

Organization Size	Cost Range
Small/Medium (50-250 employees)	5,000 - 15,000
Large (250-1,000 employees)	10,000 - 30,000
Enterprise (1,000+ employees)	25,000 - 50,000+

This includes:

• Scoping and applicability assessment
• Gap analysis against NIS 2 requirements
• Risk assessment aligned with the all-hazards approach
• Prioritized remediation roadmap

Policy and Documentation Development

Component	Cost Range
Information security policies	3,000 - 10,000
Incident response procedures	2,000 - 8,000
Business continuity plans	3,000 - 12,000
Supply chain security framework	2,000 - 8,000
Risk assessment documentation	2,000 - 6,000
Total documentation	12,000 - 44,000

Organizations with existing policy frameworks (e.g., from ISO 27001) can expect costs at the lower end of these ranges.

Technology and Tools

Category	Cost Range (Annual)
Security monitoring and SIEM	5,000 - 50,000
Vulnerability scanning	2,000 - 15,000
Multi-factor authentication	3,000 - 20,000
Backup and disaster recovery	5,000 - 30,000
Incident response tools	3,000 - 15,000
Endpoint protection	3,000 - 25,000

Many organizations already have some of these tools in place. The additional investment depends on gaps identified during the assessment phase.

Training

Training Type	Cost Range
Management cybersecurity training	1,000 - 5,000
Employee awareness training (per year)	2,000 - 10,000
Security team specialized training	3,000 - 15,000
Incident response exercises	2,000 - 8,000

NIS 2 explicitly requires management training, making this a non-optional investment.

External Expertise

Service	Cost Range
Compliance advisory (full program)	15,000 - 60,000
Incident response retainer	5,000 - 30,000/year
Penetration testing	5,000 - 25,000
Supply chain security assessment	3,000 - 15,000

Total Cost Estimates by Scenario

Scenario 1: ISO 27001 Certified Organization

Component	Estimated Cost
Gap analysis (NIS 2-specific)	3,000 - 8,000
Additional policies (incident reporting, supply chain)	3,000 - 8,000
Technology gaps	2,000 - 15,000
Training (management, incident reporting)	2,000 - 5,000
Total	10,000 - 36,000

Organizations with ISO 27001 have already addressed many NIS 2 requirements through their ISMS. The primary additions involve NIS 2-specific incident reporting procedures, supply chain security formalization, and management training obligations.

Scenario 2: Some Security Measures in Place

Component	Estimated Cost
Gap assessment	5,000 - 15,000
Policy development	8,000 - 25,000
Technology investment	10,000 - 40,000
Training program	3,000 - 10,000
External advisory	10,000 - 30,000
Total	36,000 - 120,000

Scenario 3: Starting from Scratch

Component	Estimated Cost
Comprehensive assessment	15,000 - 30,000
Full policy framework	15,000 - 40,000
Technology stack build-out	25,000 - 80,000
Training program	5,000 - 15,000
External advisory (full program)	25,000 - 60,000
Total	85,000 - 225,000

Ongoing Annual Costs

After initial compliance, organizations should budget for ongoing maintenance:

Activity	Annual Cost Range
Risk assessment reviews	2,000 - 8,000
Policy updates	1,000 - 5,000
Security monitoring and tooling	10,000 - 50,000
Training and awareness	3,000 - 12,000
Internal audits	3,000 - 10,000
Penetration testing	5,000 - 20,000
Supplier assessments	2,000 - 10,000
Total annual	26,000 - 115,000

Cost Optimization Strategies

Leverage Existing Frameworks

If you already comply with ISO 27001, SOC 2, or similar frameworks, map your existing controls against NIS 2 requirements to avoid duplicating efforts.

Pursue ISO 27001 Certification

For organizations without an existing framework, pursuing ISO 27001 certification alongside NIS 2 compliance provides dual benefits: a recognized certification and strong NIS 2 compliance foundation.

Use Managed Services

Outsourcing security monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response to a managed security service provider can be more cost-effective than building internal capabilities, especially for medium-sized organizations.

Start with High-Impact Areas

Prioritize the requirements with the highest compliance risk: incident reporting processes, management governance, and risk assessment. These areas have the most visibility during supervision.

Common Questions

Is NIS 2 compliance more expensive than ISO 27001?

Not necessarily. The underlying security measures overlap significantly. If you pursue both, the incremental cost of NIS 2 compliance on top of ISO 27001 is relatively small. If you pursue only NIS 2 compliance, the cost may be comparable to ISO 27001 certification since the requirements are similar in scope.

Can we spread the cost over time?

Yes. NIS 2 compliance can be phased. Start with the assessment, prioritize high-risk gaps, and implement improvements progressively. However, incident reporting capabilities and management governance should be addressed early since they are among the most visible compliance areas.

What is the ROI of NIS 2 compliance?

Beyond avoiding penalties (up to 10M/2% turnover for essential entities), NIS 2 compliance improves overall cybersecurity posture, reduces the likelihood and impact of incidents, and can be a competitive advantage when working with regulated customers who require supply chain security assurance.