NIS2 Compliance in Industrial Weighing: Cybersecurity, Legal Metrology and Data Trust

The European Union’s NIS2 Directive (EU 2022/2555) introduces a new cybersecurity framework that affects not only IT networks but also Operational Technology (OT) — including connected weighing systems. For manufacturers and operators in metrology, logistics, or industrial automation, NIS2 compliance means ensuring that scales, load cells, and indicators are protected from cyber threats and data manipulation.

What Is NIS2?

The NIS2 Directive replaces the original NIS Directive (2016/1148) and expands its scope to more critical sectors. It requires stronger risk management, incident reporting within 24 hours, and supply chain cybersecurity. This includes weighing devices connected through IoT gateways, PLCs, and cloud-based monitoring platforms.

Mandatory cybersecurity policies for IT and OT environments.
Regular risk assessments and vulnerability management.
Encryption and firmware integrity for connected instruments.
Incident reporting and cooperation with national authorities.
Cyber resilience across the full supply chain.

Impact on Weighing and Legal Metrology

Modern weighing systems are part of digital networks that exchange production, logistics, and traceability data. Under NIS2, these systems become part of an organization’s cybersecurity perimeter. Compromised weighing data can lead to trade disputes, quality issues, and regulatory penalties. The directive complements existing frameworks such as OIML D31 for Digital Legal Metrology, aligning measurement integrity with cybersecurity requirements.

According to the KPMG NIS2 White Paper, industrial companies should integrate cybersecurity and metrology compliance into a unified governance model, ensuring continuous monitoring, traceability, and secure data exchange.

Best Practices for Weighing System Operators

Implement firmware integrity checks to prevent tampering.
Use encrypted channels and TLS protocols for secure data transmission.
Segment OT and IT networks to limit lateral movement in case of attack.
Apply access control and multi-factor authentication for service engineers.
Include cybersecurity clauses in calibration and maintenance contracts.

Who Is Affected?

NIS2 applies to medium and large enterprises in critical or essential sectors. In the weighing industry, that includes:

Food and beverage manufacturers with HACCP-compliant scales.
Pharmaceutical companies using validated weighing software.
Logistics and transport firms operating weighbridges and fleet monitoring systems.
Factories with smart factory integration or IoT-enabled load cells.

Strengthening Cyber Resilience

Weighing system resilience depends on both technical and procedural measures. AI-based diagnostics (AI diagnostics for load cells) and edge computing (Edge-AI load cells) now help detect anomalies before failure. Combined with firmware verification and predictive maintenance, these technologies support NIS2’s principle of “security by design.”

For legal and compliance guidance, see the Skadden analysis on NIS2 implications, which emphasizes proportionality, accountability, and board-level responsibility for cybersecurity governance.