KRITIS-Audit

Security proof for operators of critical infrastructures

With increasing digitization, modern infrastructures are becoming more efficient and intelligent – but also more susceptible to disruptions and breakdowns, for example through attacks by cybercriminals. In order to provide the best possible protection for these infrastructures, which are essential to the general public, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has issued legal regulations.

The BSI Act requires operators of critical infrastructures (KRITIS) to take appropriate organizational and technical precautions to protect against disruptions to the availability, integrity, authenticity and confidentiality of their information technology systems, components or processes. The state of the art shall be observed.

NIS 2: Be the early bird

The NIS 2 Directive will be transposed into national law by October 2024. Prepare your company in good time: Conduct a gap analysis to uncover specific deviations between your company's security organization and the requirements of NIS 2. This allows you to plan and carry out suitable implementation projects in the coming year. Find out more here.

Are you an operator of critical infrastructures?

For each KRITIS-relevant sector, the BSI has defined different thresholds. If a company reaches the threshold value, it is considered an operator of critical infrastructures.

Even if your company is not classified as a KRITIS company, IT security certifications may be necessary for you. Especially if you are a partner or supplier of a KRITIS company.

The regulation applies to the following sectors:

Energy (electricity and gas supply)
Water
Nutrition
Information technology and telecommunications
Health
Transport and traffic
Finance and insurance

How do you obtain the proof of compliance?

As an operator of critical systems, you must present a special audit report to the BSI to confirm that your IT security is state of the art. For this purpose, an independent, accredited testing agency will test your IT security in the course of a KRITIS audit in accordance with § 8a paragraph 3 BSIG. Which security requirements you have to meet in detail depends on your industry. These requirements are fleshed out in industry-specific security standards recognized by the BSI (B3S).

In order to prepare yourself optimally for the audit, you should

Create a network structure plan

Conduct risk assessments

Perform an internal pre-audit

How can we help?

As an IT security consulting firm and accredited Qualified Security Assessor with many years of experience in a wide variety of IT security consulting projects and audits, we are the optimal partner for your KRITIS audit.

On the BSI website you can read about the strict conditions we have to meet in order to be allowed to conduct tests according to § 8a paragraph 3 BSIG. These include, for example:

Uniformity in security assessments
Independence and neutrality
Competent employees and extensive human resources
Secure infrastructure, systems and applications

Sound knowledge in the areas of information security and information security management systems (ISMS)
Familiarity with common norms and standards of IT and information security

Synergy effects with other certifications

Existing IT security certifications can be accredited for the KRITIS proof. Use synergies and combine, for example, your KRITIS audit with your PCI DSS assessment. This saves you time and effort.