NIS2 compact for event IT & hardware rental: What companies should implement organizationally & technically now

With the European NIS2 Directive coming into force on October 18, 2024 and its national implementation at the beginning of 2025, companies in Germany and throughout the EU are obliged to significantly strengthen their cybersecurity structures. Companies in the event IT and hardware rental sector in particular are now faced with the challenge of making their IT infrastructure not only performant but also NIS2-compliant. This makes IT security a strategic obligation for rental companies, trade fair organizers and B2B service providers alike.

In this article, we provide an in-depth overview of the requirements of the NIS2 directive, explain practical measures specifically for the event and hardware rental industry and show you the advantages ofrenting NIS2 hardware. You will also learn how to set yourself up correctly in organizational and technical terms – with clear guidance and examples from the real field of application.

What does NIS2 mean in concrete terms for IT rental?

The “NIS2” Directive (Network and Information Security Directive 2) follows on from the original NIS Directive from 2016 and extends the obligations to more sectors and company sizes. What is new is that many medium-sized companies – such as service providers for events, trade fairs or hardware rental – are also affected.

From 2025, affected companies must:

Implement your IT and information security according to the state of the art
Establish risk management and emergency processes
Clarify responsibilities up to management level
Carry out regular audits and safety checks
Report serious security incidents within 24 hours

Managing directors are now personally responsible (including possible fines for failing to comply). The requirements apply to both stationary systems and temporary IT landscapes – such as those used at events and rented hardware such as rental computers or tablets.

Why the NIS2 directive also affects temporary IT

Whether it’s a corporate event with digital check-in terminals, a trade fair with central media control or a roadshow with 100 tablets – temporary event IT is now closely linked to internal networks, cloud solutions and customer servers. In addition, event organizers and service providers are increasingly renting Apple iPads to guarantee flexible and secure implementation. The requirements of NIS2 do not stop here.

Important safety aspects therefore also apply to:

Rent smartphones and tablets with customer access
Temporary networks, WLAN setups and routers
QR scanners, payment terminals and registration systems
High-end notebooks and media players in use at events

The requirements for hardware rental in particular are increasing rapidly: anyone providing devices and systems must ensure that they do not become a gateway for cyber attacks – regardless of whether the customer uses the devices for one day or several weeks.

NIS2 hardware rental: The secure path to compliance

Flexibility is key in event and B2B rental. But how do you achieve this without compromising on IT security and NIS2 compliance?

Our approach: “Rent NIS2-compliant hardware solutions directly from specialized rental partners”. This takes the pressure off your company, saves IT resources and ensures compliance with the regulatory framework.

With the help of specialized rental solutions, companies can obtain temporary IT components, including security measures, without having to take on the work of installation, update management or encryption themselves. Devices such as the iPad Pro M4 or customized iPad Air M2, which not only offer performance but also maximum security, are currently in particularly high demand.

Typical security features in NIS2-compliant rental hardware

Feature	Feature Description	Advantage for NIS2 compliance
MDM preparation (Mobile Device Management)	Central control and remote deletion	Loss protection, data protection, clear access control
Current OS versions & auto-updates	Regular automatic security updates	Automated vulnerability management
Encryption (e.g. BitLocker or FileVault)	Stored data fully encrypted	Data security even in the event of device theft
Network configuration (separate WLANs, VPN)	Secure connection to internal server systems	Minimization of points of attack and external access
User roles & access rights	User-based assignment of rights	Prevention of insider threats

Organizational measures: These steps are now mandatory

Companies must document all security-relevant measures and scrutinize the maturity level of their own processes. For B2B service providers in the event IT and hardware rental sector, this means, among other things:

Define roles: Who is responsible for IT security internally? Who ensures secure configurations for rental equipment such as gaming laptops or business notebooks?
Audit technical partners: Only work with certified distributors who can prove NIS2 compatibility.
Visualize process chains: Where does a rented device connect to the network? Which rights are assigned?
Control data in real time: Increased requirements for logging, monitoring and real-time diagnostics
Formulate emergency plans: For cyber incidents at events or during roadshows

Practical example: Trade fair appearance of a financial services provider

A medium-sized financial services provider is planning a trade fair appearance lasting several days in spring 2025. Meeting rooms will be equipped with iPads including CRM access, customer registrations will be digital and the event WiFi will be linked to the company’s internal networks. Until now, hardware and IT setups have been rented unspecifically from various partners.

In view of NIS2, the company is now focusing specifically on tested solutions. The company decides to rent Apple iPads with MDM connectivity and pre-installed security functions. At the same time, secure 2-in-1 devices are used for flexible meeting and presentation areas. The Wi-Fi for the trade fair is also encrypted and configured in an isolated VLAN. The result: a demonstrably NIS2-compliant implementation without additional internal effort.

Advantages of NIS2-compliant IT rental

Those who rely on specialized partners benefit in several ways:

Reduced internal effort for IT departments
Minimization of legal risks and liability issues
Flexible scaling for events of any size with the latest smartphones or powerful tablets
Pre-configured, tested and ready for immediate use
In the future also tax-deductible as a business expense

In practice, renting NIS2-compliant hardware is not only more secure, but also more economically attractive than installing your own infrastructure at short notice.

FAQ on NIS2 with a focus on hardware rental & event IT

As an IT lessor, am I directly affected by NIS2?

Only if your company exceeds a certain size (more than 50 employees or €10 million annual turnover in the affected sector). Indirectly, however, all players are affected, as customers are only allowed to work with verified secure providers.

As a landlord, what evidence do I have to provide to customers?

Technical measures such as patch management, device encryption and MDM should be verifiable. A reference to ISO/IEC 27001 or TISAX standards is also helpful.

Who is liable for data breaches with rented hardware?

This depends on the contract and the configuration responsibility. If devices are fully pre-configured and operated by the rental company, the responsibility also lies with them. Customers should secure this contractually and use standardized rental solutions for business computers, for example.

How can I rent NIS2-compliant?

Rely on partners who specialize in event IT and security standards. Ask specifically about NIS2 preparation, certifications, software images and network concepts for your desired hardware such as iPad Pro or ultra laptops.

Conclusion: Set the right course now – with a NIS2-compliant rental solution

The NIS2 directive brings new obligations, but also opportunities. Those who act now minimize risks, position themselves as a reliable partner and save resources and legal expenses in the long term. Especially in the area of event IT and hardware rental, companies should now rely on pre-tested solutions – such as the secure rental of mobile devices and network technology.

Our recommendation: Delegate the IT security of your temporary infrastructure to certified experts. With NIS2 hardware rental, you automatically ensure compliance, data protection and reassuring legal security – without overloading your own capacities.

Make a non-binding inquiry now and secure NIS2-compliant rental equipment for your events in 2025!

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NIS2 compact for event IT & hardware rental: What companies should implement organizationally & technically now