Increasing digitalization brings not only advantages, but also new challenges in the field of cybersecurity. The European Union is responding to this with the NIS-2 Directive, which aims to strengthen the security of network and information systems. But time is pressing: the implementation of the NIS 2 Directive is nearing completion. All EU member states must transpose the directive into national law by October 2024, then it will become finally binding. For many companies, this means the introduction of stricter security requirements. What role does the digital signature play in this, and how can it support your organization’s cybersecurity strategy?

What is the NIS-2 Directive?

The Network and Information Security Directive (NIS-2) is the revised version of the original NIS Directive and aims to further improve cybersecurity within the EU. It expands the scope of application and tightens the requirements in order to better counter the current threats. A central element of NIS-2 is ensuring the integrity and authenticity of data as well as the traceability and security of transactions.

Specific requirements of the NIS-2 Directive

The NIS-2 Directive includes several important requirements, including:

• Risk management: Introduction of risk assessment and mitigation measures.
• Reporting: Obligation to report security incidents within 24 hours.
• Cybersecurity measures: Implementation of measures to protect network and information systems.

The importance of digital signatures for the NIS-2 Directive

Legally binding

Digital signatures provide a legally binding way to authenticate transactions and communications. This is especially crucial in digital administration and collaboration between different organizations. Contracts and agreements can thus be concluded electronically in a legally binding and secure manner, which reduces paperwork and accelerates business processes.

Compliance and Audit

The NIS-2 Directive places high demands on compliance with regulations and the ability to demonstrate this compliance. Digital signatures play a central role in this. By using digital signatures, organizations can prove that they meet the requirements of NIS-2, especially with regard to the traceability and security of data. Digital signatures make it possible to uniquely assign each transaction to a sender and guarantee its integrity, which makes verification and auditing easier.

Digital signatures: More than just electronic signatures

Digital signatures are much more than simple electronic signatures. They are cryptographic tools that perform two essential functions:

• Authenticity: They enable the verification of the origin of documents or messages. This means that the recipient of a digitally signed document can be sure who the sender is.

• Integrity: They guarantee that the contents of a document have not been tampered with after signing. Any change would invalidate the signature and be immediately recognizable.

Technical background

Digital signatures are based on public key infrastructure (PKI), which uses two pairs of keys: a private key to sign and a public key to verify the signature. This technology ensures that only the owner of the private key can sign a document, while anyone with the public key can verify the signature.

Practical examples

Some industries are already successfully using digital signatures to meet the NIS-2 requirements:

• Financial sector: Banks and financial institutions use digital signatures to ensure the authenticity of online transactions.

• Health service: Hospitals and clinics are using digital signatures to ensure the secure exchange of patient data.

• Public administration: Government agencies use digital signatures for secure communication and document exchange.

Benefits beyond compliance

In addition to meeting NIS-2 requirements, digital signatures offer other advantages:

• Cost savings: Reduction of paper and associated costs.

• Time saving: Acceleration of business processes through immediate availability and verification of documents.

• Environmental friendliness: Reducing paper consumption contributes to environmental protection.

A look into the future

The NIS-2 Directive and the increased use of digital signatures mark a significant step towards a more secure digital world. In times when digital communication and transactions dominate everyday life, ensuring authenticity and integrity is crucial. Organizations implementing digital signatures are better equipped to meet the upcoming cybersecurity challenges and meet the requirements of the NIS-2 Directive.

Digital signatures offer not only security, but also efficiency and legal bindingness. They are an indispensable tool for the future of digital communication and transactions. The NIS-2 Directive and the use of digital signatures are therefore decisive steps on the way to a more secure digital infrastructure in Europe.