GDPR - PATECCO GmbH

What Are the Key Differences Between GDPR and NIS2?

In the dynamic arena of data protection and cybersecurity within the European Union, two significant regulatory frameworks play pivotal roles – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NIS2 Directive. While both aim to safeguard information and enhance trust within the digital ecosystem, they address different aspects of this goal. GDPR is primarily concerned with the privacy rights of individuals and the protection of personal data, while NIS2 focuses on the security of essential services and digital infrastructure. Understanding the key differences between these two regulations is crucial for organizations operating in the EU to ensure compliance and to effectively manage both data privacy and cybersecurity risks. GDPR emphasizes individual rights, such as access to personal data and the right to erasure, requiring organizations to obtain explicit consent for data processing. The regulation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in data processing, ensuring that organizations handle personal data responsibly. Key principles of GDPR include: In contrast, NIS2 aims to enhance the cybersecurity posture of essential and digital service providers, targeting specific sectors like healthcare, energy, and digital services. NIS2 does not require individual consent – instead, it focuses on risk management and incident reporting to improve network and information system security. Key principles of NIS2 include: These elements aim to strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure and services across Europe, ensuring that organizations have the necessary measures in place to protect against cyber threats. As a conclusion, we could say that both GDPR and NIS2 play vital roles in shaping the data protection and cybersecurity landscape within the EU, though they target different objectives. Organizations operating within the EU must understand and comply with both frameworks to effectively safeguard data privacy and ensure robust cybersecurity. Download the Comparative analysis of GDPR and NIS2 here:

What Is Zero Trust Model and What Are Its Key Components?

Uncategorized / Von Ina Nikolova

Zero Trust is an IT security model that requires all users and potentially connected devices to undergo strict identity checks. Zero trust applies to any attempt to access the resources of a private network. The principle thus departs from traditional trusted network approaches, in which all elements within a network enjoy full trust like a fortress with a moat. With Zero Trust, authentication takes place regardless of whether users or devices are located in a defined company perimeter or not – it is fundamentally necessary, always and for everything and everyone. As a framework, Zero Trust assumes that there are always external and internal security threats to complex networks. To combat these, a Zero Trust Architecture starts directly with data security and utilises various processes, protocols, digital solutions and applications. This allows the identities of users and devices to be checked, data, workloads and automation processes to be organised and networks and endpoints to be secured. More and more organisations are now switching to Zero Trust so that they can better manage current economic and security challenges. Compared to traditional network and security architectures, the future-proof approach offers decisive advantages and better equips organisations against attacks. How does Zero Trust work? Zero Trust is a comprehensive framework that protects corporate assets via secure identities, devices and network access. To ensure protection is effective, Zero Trust architecture evaluates every internal and external connection and all endpoints as a potential threat. A Zero Trust network counters potential threats by taking the following steps: Users therefore do not have standard access: they can only access the network, its data and resources under certain conditions in accordance with the principle of least privilege. A zero trust model checks and authorises every connection, every device and every data flow in a network. This ensures that every interaction fulfils the company’s security guidelines – from the first log-in of a new employee to the complete zero trust strategy for the Internet of Things. What are the minimum requirements for a Zero Trust architecture? The Zero Trust Architecture controls the physical and virtual network infrastructure as well as the operating guidelines of an organisation. As a cyber security strategy, it includes access policies, the relationship between individual components and workflow planning. Zero Trust requires security functions that affect identities, data, devices, the network and its endpoints. However, the minimum requirements for a complete Zero trust architecture go beyond this: These principles may vary and require different implementation depending on the environment, security requirements and risk analysis. There is no universal solution that can be used everywhere. Which technologies are part of a Zero Trust infrastructure? A Zero Trust infrastructure consists of technologies for authentication, authorisation, encryption and security analysis. 1 Authentication and authorisation The most important component of Zero Trust security is identity management, i.e. the authentication of users and devices. It takes place via identity and access management (IAM) and enables the right entities (people or things) to use the right resources (applications or data). In recent years, multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become the standard procedure for companies. Authentication is usually accompanied by an authorisation process based on the principles of Privileged Access Management (PAM). It grants users ‘privileged access’ to certain applications and systems based on the assigned authorisation. 2. Encryption The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) stipulates the protection and encryption of sensitive data via password-protected databases. As part of a Zero Trust security policy, it makes sense for companies to also protect their own important document and system information. Instead of developing their own processes for this, companies can utilise ready-made encryption solutions. They encode data directly at the desired level. 3. Security analysis The security analysis of a Zero Trust architecture uses data from logs in real time to analyse and detect threats. Web application firewalls (WAF) and gateways are used for this purpose. What are the challenges of implementing Zero Trust? Implementing Zero Trust is a complex process that involves several challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is integration into existing IT infrastructures, as many companies work with outdated systems that cannot be easily adapted. Zero Trust also requires a detailed analysis and classification of data, users and devices in order to define access rights correctly. Another aspect is the increased administrative effort, as continuous monitoring, authentication and access checks need to be implemented. Finally, resistance within the organisation can also pose a challenge, as employees are often reluctant to make changes that affect their work processes. Despite these obstacles, implementation is worthwhile as Zero Trust offers significantly greater protection against cyber attacks. However, there are also suitable solutions for every challenge: The development of the Zero Trust principle goes hand in hand with the growing security threats to networks and companies. A Zero Trust network offers much greater cyber resilience than traditional VPNs and firewalls by securing access to all of an organisation’s applications through better authentication methods. Zero Trust is an intelligent solution to the proactive protection that companies need in the digital transformation. Once established, a Zero Trust architecture can provide the security team with valuable insights into a rapidly evolving attack surface and even improve the user experience for users. Therefore, you need to plan for a dual security model that does justice to the perimeter-based and the identity-based part.

Empowering the Future of Identity Management with IBM Security Verify Governance

Uncategorized / Von Ina Nikolova

As digital transformation reshapes businesses worldwide, managing user identities and securing access to sensitive data has become more challenging than ever. Organizations are forced to navigate complex IT environments, hybrid cloud architectures, and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements while ensuring that users have seamless, secure access to the resources they need. This is where identity governance becomes critical, and IBM Security Verify Governance (ISVG) appears as a leading tool in empowering the future of identity management. In this article, we explore how IBM Security Verify Governance addresses modern identity management challenges, provides comprehensive security, and unlocks new opportunities for organizations looking to secure their digital future. What are the key features of IBM Security Verify Governance? IBM Security Verify Governance (ISVG) is a comprehensive identity governance solution that streamlines the management of user identities, access, and compliance. Its key features include automated user provisioning and deprovisioning, which ensure efficient onboarding and offboarding processes. The platform supports identity lifecycle management, handling changes in roles and departments to keep access rights up-to-date. It enforces role-based access control (RBAC) to maintain consistent and appropriate user permissions, and access certification processes help organizations meet regulatory requirements. ISVG also includes segregation of duties management (SoD) to prevent conflicts of interest, along with policy management that standardizes access across systems. Integration capabilities allow for seamless governance in hybrid IT environments. Additionally, ISVG offers analytics for insights, self-service access requests, password management, and comprehensive audit reporting to enhance security and efficiency. Together, these features make ISVG a powerful tool for modern identity management. How ISVG is transforming the way organizations govern access and mitigate risks? IBM Security Verify Governance (ISVG) is at the forefront of this transformation, revolutionizing how organizations govern access and mitigate risks. As organizations face increasingly complex security challenges, ISVG provides the tools necessary to foster a secure environment that balances user convenience with robust governance, ultimately empowering organizations to navigate their digital ecosystems with confidence. Here are some key ways in which ISVG is making an impact: The solution automates the process of access reviews and certifications, enabling organizations to quickly verify that users have the appropriate level of access. By replacing manual processes with automated workflows, ISVG reduces the likelihood of human error while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Organizations can set up dynamic policies that automatically adjust access based on real-time context and user behavior. ISVG continuously monitors user activities and can trigger alerts or restrict access when suspicious behavior is detected, enhancing security posture by proactively addressing potential threats. ISVG incorporates risk-based authentication strategies that evaluate the context of each access attempt, such as location, device, and behavior patterns. This adaptive approach helps to ensure that only legitimate users can gain access, while also providing a seamless experience for trusted users. ISVG delivers a holistic view of user identities and access permissions across the enterprise. This centralized visibility empowers IT and security teams to identify potential vulnerabilities and make informed decisions regarding access management policies. ISVG seamlessly integrates with existing applications and identity repositories, allowing organizations to leverage their current technology stack while enhancing governance and security capabilities. This makes it easier to adopt the best practices without overhauling existing systems. As organizations grow and evolve, their access management needs change. ISVG is designed to scale with the organization, offering flexibility to adapt to new applications, partners, and user bases, ensuring that governance remains effective regardless of size or complexity. What new opportunities bring ISVG for organizations? IBM Security Verify Governance (ISVG) brings several new opportunities for organizations by transforming identity management into a more streamlined, efficient, and strategic function. The platform creates opportunities for stronger regulatory compliance by providing tools for continuous access monitoring, certification, and audit reporting. With ISVG, organizations can consistently demonstrate adherence to regulatory standards, such as GDPR or HIPAA, through comprehensive and real-time insights into access management practices. This enhanced compliance capability reduces the risk of fines and penalties while ensuring data security and privacy. ISVG also allows businesses to better address the dynamic needs of modern digital environments by integrating seamlessly across both on-premises and cloud-based systems. This adaptability makes it possible to govern identities and access consistently across diverse IT environments, supporting hybrid work models and digital transformation initiatives. With the platform’s analytics, organizations gain deeper visibility into access trends and potential risks, empowering them to make more informed decisions about identity governance and to proactively address security issues.

Important reasons why financial institutions need Identity & Access Management

Uncategorized / Von Ina Nikolova

The financial sector is undergoing a radical change. Transactions are no longer carried out over the counter in branches; both customers and advisors want to have access to information and applications from anywhere and at any time. To ensure that user administration still fulfils the highest security requirements, banks need modern Identity & Access Management solutions that can also flexibly implement regulatory requirements. Well-designed solutions for Identity & Access Management significantly increase the level of security in all financial operations. IAM also offers other advantages that financial institutions should not do without. 1) SoD – improves the security situation The functional separation of demarcated activities in IT systems (Segragation of Duties – SoD) is one of many components of a well-designed IAM system to prevent such enormous damage. In addition to such prominent individual cases, cybercrime has posed an enormous threat to companies since the start of the coronavirus pandemic due to people working from home. Three out of four companies are victims of data theft or sabotage. In most cases, the perpetrators are (intentionally or unintentionally) current or former employees, meaning that a company’s own employees pose the greatest cyber risk. Company-wide guidelines and processes for user and authorization management contribute significantly to (internal) error prevention at this point. A well-structured IAM system ensures that only those employees have access to IT systems who are authorized to do so at the relevant time by the manager and the respective functional or technical managers of the IT systems. In addition to access control for normal user authorizations, particularly powerful authorizations (e.g. emergency access or so-called super users) should be controlled separately. With such authorizations, users can, for example, change parameter settings or bypass predefined release workflows. Such authorizations should therefore only be granted in emergency situations. This is where Privileged Access Management (PAM), which should be linked to the central IAM system in the company, provides the right tool. 2) Improves the end-user experience Complex, manual application processes for access rights in companies lead to long waiting times, employees need long start-up times to be able to work. For each system you have different user IDs and in the best case a password that is not easy to guess and therefore difficult to remember. This is precisely why many people associate IAM with annoying, time-consuming activities. A standardized and consistent IAM system ensures short application paths, automatic assignment and fast work in the target systems. Thanks to integrated and intelligent authentication using single sign-on (SSO), users can log into the target systems easily and securely. The advantages of such authentication services are obvious: they make it much easier to establish new customer relationships, as you only have to authenticate yourself once with the identity service. Integrated two-factor authentication also ensures a high standard of security. Identity management gives companies the opportunity to improve their digital customer relationships and gain trust in terms of data security. 3) Ensures compliance Banks and financial institutions are subject to various regulatory requirements, guidelines and standards such as BAIT, VAIT, ISO 27001 and GDPR. The attention paid to IT security by auditing bodies (banking supervisory authorities and auditors) has increased significantly in recent years and the rules have become dramatically stricter. The processes adhered to in the IAM system cover central governance requirements, such as the need-to-know principle or compliance with approval and control processes. Compliance can also be monitored with the help of logging and evaluation options. In addition to formal adherence to compliance, there are also beneficial „side effects“: system managers automatically start to think more about access rights and structures as a result of IAM processes. Internal IT compliance audits lead to significantly fewer findings and the work of internal and external auditors is made much easier. IAM thus makes a valuable contribution to the fulfillment of the compliance function in companies and should therefore not be neglected by those responsible in compliance departments (not only in banks and insurance companies). 4) Drives Efficiency In modern IAM systems, the associated processes are automated and run in real time. Manual control loops and human monitoring are therefore a thing of the past. Particularly in large and rapidly growing organisations, the IT landscape quickly becomes confusing and manual process steps become a cost trap. IAM automates the steps that were previously carried out manually and provides a framework that channels the authorisation management activities to be carried out. The massive reduction in manual activities not only relieves the burden on employees, but also saves considerable costs in the long term. IAM is also a key driver for the digitalisation of business processes in companies and therefore forms the basis for the digital transformation already underway in so many companies. An intelligent IAM system that is designed with the end user in mind can also reduce the workload for IT help desks by providing self-service options for users. 5) Boosts agility The profoundly advancing digitalisation in the financial sector requires the consistent application of agile methods and the expansion of digital capabilities, particularly in IT departments. Modern IAM solutions fit very well into existing IT processes and enable an agile approach. The ongoing transformation of IT applications into the cloud is optimally supported by an IAM. With a hybrid IAM model, any IT systems, whether in the cloud or on-premise, can be connected quickly and in a highly automated manner. Modern software developments, apps and enterprise web applications can also be connected to the company’s central IAM in an agile setting, ensuring consistent and secure access to all systems in the company. The introduction of IAM solutions realises many benefits for companies. With IAM, enormous fraud and damage incidents are reduced. Appropriate controls for access management are provided and all (regulatory) standard workflows are highly automated. IAM gives companies full transparency of user access to their systems at all times, significantly reducing manual process steps and waiting times in the provision of user access.