As part of a strong consortium, the National Secure Cloud (NSC) is committed to ensuring the usability of cloud technologies up to the classification level DEU SECRET. Only technologies that have already been approved by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) are used in the development of the NSC. In the current issue of NITECH, Benedikt Meng, Business Development & Public Affairs Manager at infodas, explains how the NSC will strengthen digital sovereignty in Europe.
How does the National Secure Cloud (NSC) contribute to increasing digital sovereignty?
The NSC, a joint project by leading German cybersecurity experts infodas, IABG, Kernkonzept and Utimaco, strengthens European digital sovereignty by providing a cloud infrastructure that is developed and operated by German companies. It enables the processing of classified information and meets the highest security standards. The use of carefully selected open-source technologies reduces dependence on international providers and thus strengthens control over national data.
What security mechanisms are implemented in the NSC to ensure the processing of data up to the DEU SECRET classification level?
The NSC meets the strict requirements of the Classified Information Directive and uses technologies approved by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). It offers security domains, secure domain transitions, hardware security modules for cryptography and strict access controls. These mechanisms ensure that data is protected up to the DEU SECRET security classification level.
Why is the NSC a cost-effective solution for government and military organizations?
The NSC is modular and scalable, which means that it can be expanded as required. It uses carefully selected open-source software, which minimizes licensing costs. In addition, the so-called Virtual Security Functions, like the virtualization of the infodas Secure Domain Transition (SDoT) Labelling Service and the SDoT Security Gateway, enable flexible adaptation without the need for expensive hardware changes. This makes the NSC a cost-effective solution that still meets the highest security requirements.
You can read the complete interview in the current issue of NITECH (pages 30 – 31): https://issuu.com/globalmediapartners/docs/nitech12
