Supporting NIS 2 Directive with SOC

The European Union's NIS 2 Directive introduces significant changes in cybersecurity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In Hungary, the implementation of the directive focuses on enhancing the protection of SMEs, which are frequently targeted by cyber-attacks but have limited resources compared to large corporations. This study aims to outline the main requirements of the NIS 2 Directive for SMEs, with a specific focus on risk management, incident response, and compliance obligations. To meet these requirements, the introduction and operation of a Security Operations Center (SOC) are critical. Open source solutions, in particular, offer a cost-effective and flexible alternative for SMEs to address cybersecurity challenges. The study details the open source tools and technologies that support SOC functions, such as vulnerability management, incident response, continuous monitoring, and ensuring compliance. The research highlights that utilizing open source solutions not only reduces costs but also enhances cybersecurity resilience and rapid response capabilities among SMEs, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the NIS 2 Directive in Hungary,