From energy grids to municipal services, cyberattacks have shifted from isolated nuisances to systemic threats. The EU’s NIS2 Directive demands that by April 18, 2026, organisations not only have robust cybersecurity measures in place but can also demonstrate active implementation. For many mid-sized and larger Benelux companies and public institutions, this means starting preparations now. 

Why April 18, 2026, is non-negotiable
On that date, national authorities will expect to see clear evidence that your organisation has embarked on its NIS2 journey. Whether you are classified as an “essential” or “important” entity, auditors will ask for documented risk assessments, incident-response plans, supply-chain reviews, and training records. Missing the deadline risks hefty fines, reputational damage, and operational disruption. 

Why you must engage by September at the latest
Preparing for April 18, 2026, audit isn’t a one-step process. SecWise recommends reaching out to your cybersecurity partner by September 2025 at the latest. Starting then gives you enough runway to: 

• Complete your asset inventory and initial gap analysis. Identifying critical systems, mapping data flows and benchmarking against NIS2 controls can take six to eight weeks, especially if your organisation spans multiple sites or business units. 

• Draft and socialize your project charter. Early scoping with CISOs, CIOs, IT and data-security teams ensures everyone agrees on objectives, roles and timelines before budget cycles close. 

• Secure budget approval. Many organisations lock in their next fiscal year’s capital spend by Q4. A September kick-off lets you present a detailed business case—including cost estimates for technology, external consultancy and internal resource allocation—well ahead of procurement deadlines. 

• Plan around holidays and financial-close periods. Between summer vacations and year-end financial audits, key decision-makers may be unavailable. Starting in September avoids the risk of stalling while you wait for stakeholder availability. 

• Run proof-of-concepts and pilots. Evaluating tools like IAM platforms or SOC services requires live testing in a controlled environment. A two- to three-month pilot phase lets you fine-tune configurations and train your team before full rollout. 

 

Waiting until January 2026 leaves little room for negotiation, testing, or iterative improvements. 

Navigating a multi-stakeholder approval journey
Effective NIS2 implementation touches legal, finance, HR and operational teams. Each stakeholder needs tailored information: 

If you only begin in January 2026, you’ll face: 

• Compressed timelines. With just three months until the verification or audit, you must simultaneously draft policies, procure solutions, conduct training and compile evidence—leaving no buffer for unexpected hurdles.
• Rushed implementations. Deploying technical controls under pressure increases the risk of misconfigurations, integration issues, and user pushback. These mistakes can lead to gaps that auditors will flag. 

• Limited time for supplier reviews. NIS2 requires you to assess and manage third-party risks. Engaging vendors, collecting their security documentation and remediating supply-chain weaknesses can take as long as internal efforts. 

• Insufficient testing and refinement. Incident-response plans need tabletop exercises and simulated attacks to prove effectiveness. Squeezing those exercises into a tight window reduces their value and leaves you vulnerable. 

• Reporting challenges. Assembling evidence—risk-assessment reports, meeting minutes, training logs—into a coherent audit package is time-consuming. A last-minute scramble risks missing documentation or submitting incomplete records. 

 

As NIS2-certified professionals, we advise a four-phase approach: 

• Classification and Gap Analysis: Determine your entity status and benchmark against ISO 27001 or the Cyber Fundamentals framework.
• Risk Management Integration: Embed regular risk assessments into daily operations and supplier reviews.

• Control Implementation: Roll out technical controls (MFA, encryption, centralised logging) alongside updated policies and incident-response playbooks.

• Continuous Improvement: Establish governance for ongoing audits, capacity-building and SOC monitoring.

Reflecting on the path ahead
The ticking clock to April 18, 2026, is a powerful motivator. Organisations that start in September 2025 will move beyond a minimum-compliance mindset to true cyber resilience. By engaging early, aligning stakeholders and following a structured roadmap, you transform NIS2 from a regulatory hurdle into a competitive strength. 

Urgency is your greatest ally. The sooner you begin, the stronger your organisation will stand against tomorrow’s threats. 

 

Don’t leave anything to chance and protect your business against cyber attacks. Contact one of our advisors now.