The entry into force of the NIS2 directive has transformed industrial cybersecurity from an option into a legal obligation for critical sectors such as energy, transport, and manufacturing. Ensuring business continuity requires a network infrastructure that not only connects but also actively protects.

What is the NIS2 Directive and how does it affect your infrastructure?

NIS2 aims to raise the level of cybersecurity across the European Union. For technological and industrial companies, this implies implementing risk management measures and strictly reporting security incidents.

The foundation of this compliance lies in network segmentation, where Layer 3 switches play a leading role in isolating critical environments.

If you still have doubts about the technical differences, you can consult our detailed comparison between Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches.

Key strategies for regulatory compliance

1. Segmentation with Layer 3 Switches

To comply with NIS2, it is essential to abandon flat networks where any device can communicate with the management server.

• • Advanced VLANs: Use Layer 3 switches to create isolated subnets and manage traffic between them.
  • Access Control Lists (ACL): Filter traffic based on IPs to allow only authorized communications between plants.

2. Monitoring and Access Control (802.1X)

Physical access to switch ports in industrial environments (such as DIN rails) must be protected. Our equipment allows port-based authentication to prevent unauthorized connections.

Comparison: Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 Security for NIS2

Security Function	Layer 2 Switch	Layer 3 Switch (Recommended)
Basic Isolation	Standard VLANs	VLANs + Inter-VLAN Routing
Traffic Filtering	By MAC and basic IP	By IP and Protocol (ACLs)
Access Control	802.1X	802.1X + Advanced Authentication
NIS2 Compliance	Limited to local level	Comprehensive for complex networks

Do you want to delve deeper into the technical details of each architecture?

Consult the Layer 2 and 3 Switches Technical Guide

The cost of inaction: Sanctions under the NIS2 Directive

Although Spain is in the final phase of transposing the NIS2 Directive (expected by early 2026), companies in critical sectors should not wait. Experts recommend acting in advance, as adapting network infrastructure (such as segmentation via Layer 3 switches) requires time and planning to avoid the sanctions that will take effect immediately following publication in the BOE.

Complying with NIS2 in 2026 is not just a matter of prestige; it is a financial necessity to guarantee the protection of critical infrastructures.

• Essential Entities: Fines of up to 10 million euros or 2% of the total annual global turnover.
• Important Entities: Fines of up to 7 million euros or 1.4% of the total annual turnover.
• Direct Responsibility: The regulations now directly point to management bodies, who can be held responsible for security breaches if adequate network measures, such as segmentation using Layer 3 switches, have not been implemented.

Official Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2) on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union.

Matrix Solutions for Industrial Cybersecurity

At Matrix Electrónica, we supply state-of-the-art hardware designed to exceed the most demanding connectivity and security standards in the sector:

• Robust DIN Rail Switches: Ideal for Edge Computing deployments where physical and logical security is critical.
• High-Density Managed Switches: Perfect for control centers that need to manage multiple network segments under strict regulations.

Industrial cybersecurity must be understood as a process of continuous improvement. Having an updated network infrastructure is the fundamental pillar to ensure that your organization not only complies with current directives but is fully resilient against today’s digital threats.

Are you dimensioning the hardware for a new network topology? Get in touch with our specialists. We will advise you on the selection of the most robust industrial equipment to ensure that your network infrastructure is fully aligned with the technical requirements of the NIS2 Directive.