Critical infrastructures in the energy sector - 5 key points PAM

Protecting Critical Infrastructures in the Energy Sector

The security of IT infrastructure is of utmost importance for German energy providers, especially considering their classification as critical infrastructures according to Paragraph 8a of the German BSI Act. To create a central and controllable access point for their entire IT infrastructure, the implementation of a service provider portal like VISULOX proves to be a central component of a KRITIS-compliant security strategy. This article highlights the benefits of Just-in-Time Access, Session Recording, and secure file transfer. A technical Remote PAM service provider portal can be implemented without the addition of VPN technologies and offers a flexible and scalable licensing model.

5 Key Points of a KRITIS-compliant Remote PAM Solution

• Just-in-Time Access for Increased Security:

  
  

  A central service provider portal like VISULOX enables energy providers to have Just-in-Time Access by allowing the provisioning of privileged access to sensitive IT systems in real-time.

  
  

  Instead of static access rights, users receive temporary permissions for the specific tasks they need to perform. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and misuse. User identity is verified and authorized before access is granted, and once the task is completed, access rights are automatically revoked. This ensures granular control over access to the IT infrastructure and minimizes the risk of insider threats.

• Session Recording for Increased Transparency:
  
  

  The service provider portal offers the ability to record and monitor sessions in real-time. By recording sessions, energy providers can track the entire activity history related to IT access and review it when necessary.

  
  

  This is especially important to meet compliance requirements and identify potential security breaches. The recorded sessions serve as a valuable resource for forensic investigations, training, and auditing purposes. The transparency and traceability of IT activities provide a high level of security and enable companies to respond quickly to security incidents and take appropriate action.

  
  

• Secure File Transfer for Smooth Collaboration:

  
  The service provider portal also offers a secure file transfer mechanism that enables encrypted and reliable transmission of sensitive files. In the energy sector, the exchange of confidential information and data with external partners and suppliers is essential.
  
  

  The service provider portal ensures that files are transferred securely without having to resort to insecure email attachments or unauthorized cloud storage services. By implementing secure file transfer, data integrity is ensured, and the risk of data leaks or unauthorized disclosure is minimized.

  
  

• Implementation without VPN technologies for High Efficiency:

  
  

  A major advantage of the service provider portal is that it can be implemented without the addition of VPN technologies. This not only reduces the complexity of the IT infrastructure but also increases efficiency.

  
  

  Users can securely access the required resources from any location without having to establish a separate VPN connection. This enables seamless collaboration and increases employee flexibility, as they are no longer bound to a specific physical network.

  
  

• Flexible and Scalable Licensing Model for Optimal Resource Utilization:

  
  The service provider portal offers a flexible and scalable licensing model that allows energy providers to optimize their resources.
  
  They can scale licenses according to their needs and have the option to only pay for the functions actually in use. This enables a cost-effective implementation while also providing the opportunity to tailor the service provider portal to the specific requirements of the business.

VISULOX - The German #1 Solution in Remote Privileged Access Management

The introduction of a central service provider portal like VISULOX offers German energy providers classified as critical infrastructures a range of advantages. Just-in-Time Access, Session Recording, and secure file transfer enhance the security and transparency of the IT infrastructure. Implementation without VPN technologies improves efficiency and flexibility, while the flexible and scalable licensing model allows for optimal resource utilization. By utilizing such a service provider portal, energy providers can strengthen their IT security while simultaneously increasing operational efficiency.

If you are interested in more information or would like to explore the benefits of a VISULOX installation in a brief 15 or 30-minute demonstration, simply book it directly here.