Disclosed is a method for processing a notification message by a northbound interface. The northbound interface has multiple plug-ins and configuration information preset therein, and the configuration information records a correspondence between each type of integrated network management system and a plug-in to be loaded. The method comprises: determining, according to a received notification processing instruction, the types of integrated network management systems that establish communication links to the northbound interface, and loading corresponding plug-ins preset in the northbound interface according to the types of the integrated network management systems and the configuration information; and monitoring the states of the communication links between the northbound interface and the integrated network management systems in real time, and controlling each plug-in to be in a state required by the states of the communication links, wherein the states of the plug-ins comprise an activated state and a deactivated state, so as to enable plug-ins in the activated state to perform relevant processing on a notification message received by the northbound interface. Also disclosed is a northbound interface. The northbound interface and the method for processing a notification message by same provided in the present invention can satisfy various demands of different types of integrated network management systems for various states of communication links established between the integrated network management systems and the northbound interface.