Implementation of EU Directive 2022/2555 (NIS2) for network and information security with post-quantum cryptography.
The NIS2 Directive1) is the revised EU directive for cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. It entered into force on January 16, 2023, and must be transposed into national law by October 17, 2024.
NIS2 expands the scope to more sectors:
| Sector | Examples | WvdS Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Power grids, wind farms, oil/gas | Energy Scenarios |
| Transport | Rail, aviation, shipping | Transport certificates |
| Banking | Credit institutions | Transaction security |
| Healthcare | Hospitals, laboratories | Healthcare Scenarios |
| Drinking Water | Water supply | SCADA communication |
| Digital Infrastructure | DNS, TLD, cloud | PKI, TLS |
| Sector | Examples | WvdS Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Postal/Courier | Logistics | Authentication |
| Waste Management | Disposal | OT security |
| Chemicals | Production | Industry Scenarios |
| Food | Production, retail | Supply chain |
| Manufacturing | Machinery, vehicles | Automotive Scenarios |
| Digital Services | Marketplaces, search engines | API security |
The directive requires specific minimum measures in Article 21(2)2):
| Requirement | WvdS Evidence |
|---|---|
| Risk identification | Risk Documentation |
| Quantum threat analyzed | Harvest-Now-Decrypt-Later scenario |
| Protection requirements determined | Data classification by lifespan |
| Requirement | WvdS Evidence |
|---|---|
| Evaluate suppliers | OpenSSL 3.6 = open source, auditable |
| Minimize dependencies | Only OpenSSL + .NET runtime |
| Ensure updates | NuGet package, automatic updates |
| Requirement | WvdS Evidence |
|---|---|
| Secure development | Code review, tests |
| Vulnerability management | GitHub Security Advisories |
| Patch management | Semantic versioning |
Core Requirement for WvdS:
| Requirement | WvdS Implementation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Appropriate cryptography | NIST FIPS 203/204 algorithms | Completed |
| State of the art | Post-quantum since NIST 2024 | Completed |
| Encryption where required | Hybrid cryptography | Completed |
| Key management | HKDF, PBKDF2, Argon2id | Completed |
// NIS2-compliant cryptography configuration CryptoConfig.DefaultMode = CryptoMode.Hybrid; // Hybrid certificates: classical + post-quantum var cert = request.CreateSelfSigned( notBefore, notAfter, CryptoMode.Hybrid // ECDSA + ML-DSA );
| Requirement | WvdS Implementation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MFA or continuous authentication | mTLS with client certificates | Completed |
| Secure communication | TLS 1.3 with PQ algorithms | Completed |
| Identity management | X.509 certificates | Completed |
Strict reporting obligations apply to security incidents3):
| Deadline | Report | WvdS Support |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | Early warning | Audit logging for forensics |
| 72 hours | Incident notification | Detailed logs available |
| 1 month | Final report | Complete documentation |
Recommendation: Enable audit logging for all cryptographic operations to document incidents traceably.
Sanctions for Violations:4)
| # | Checkpoint | WvdS Evidence | Status |
| — | ———– | ————— | — |
| 1 | Risk analysis documented | Risk | [ ] |
| 2 | Cryptography „state of the art“ | NIST FIPS 203/204 (2024) | [ ] |
| 3 | Hybrid cryptography active | CryptoMode.Hybrid | [ ] |
| 4 | Key management documented | KeyDerivation | [ ] |
| 5 | Supply chain transparent | OpenSSL 3.6 open source | [ ] |
| 6 | MFA implemented | mTLS with client certificates | [ ] |
| 7 | Audit logging active | Crypto events logged | [ ] |
| 8 | Reporting process defined | Incident response plan | [ ] |
The NIS-2 Implementation and Cybersecurity Strengthening Act (NIS2UmsuCG)5) transposes NIS2 into German law:
| NIS2 | German Law | Responsible Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Essential entities | Sections 28-29 BSIG-new | BSI |
| Important entities | Sections 30-31 BSIG-new | BSI |
| Reporting obligations | Section 32 BSIG-new | BSI |
| Sanctions | Section 60 BSIG-new | BNetzA, BSI |
Wolfgang van der Stille @ EMSR DATA d.o.o. - Post-Quantum Cryptography Professional