Protect and Secure Classified Information With Kiteworks’ Comprehensive Protection Framework

Access Control and Data Protection With Zero-Trust Architecture and Attribute-Based Controls

The German VS-NfD Code of Practice establishes strict access control and data protection requirements for organizations handling classified “Restricted” information. Companies must designate responsible persons to oversee compliance implementation, enforce need-to-know principles through technical and organizational measures, and maintain secure storage of classified materials in locked containers or rooms. The regulation requires separate project folders for different contracts, approved IT systems, and comprehensive information security concepts aligned with BSI IT-Grundschutz standards. Kiteworks directly supports these requirements through its hardened virtual appliance architecture that minimizes attack surfaces and implements zero-trust principles. The platform’s role-based access controls (RBAC) and attribute-based access controls (ABAC) enforce need-to-know principles by restricting access based on user attributes, data characteristics, and specific actions. Kiteworks enables secure project segregation through folder-based access controls, while its SafeVIEW secure viewer and SafeEDIT possessionless editing capabilities prevent unauthorized data access during remote work scenarios.

IT Security and Encryption With Hardened Virtual Appliance and Multi-Layer Protection

Comprehensive IT security measures must be implemented for processing classified information, including BSI-approved security products, encrypted transmission and storage, network segmentation, malware protection, and secure remote access controls. Organizations must implement hard disk encryption, disable unauthorized interfaces, maintain firewall configurations, and ensure all electronic transmissions use approved encryption methods. The regulation requires particular attention to mobile systems, cross-site communications, and home working arrangements with strict technical safeguards. Kiteworks addresses these requirements through its hardened virtual appliance that provides multi-layered security architecture with embedded network and web application firewalls blocking unauthorized access. The platform implements double encryption at rest using separate operating system and application-level keys. TLS 1.3 and 1.2 encryption in transit with FIPS 140-3 validation ensures secure communication, while the embedded antivirus and managed detection capabilities protect against malware.

Audit and Compliance Tracking With Comprehensive Reporting and Activity Monitoring

The VS-NfD Code of Practice requires extensive tracking and documentation for organizations handling classified information. Companies must maintain detailed records of personnel training and obligations, document consent for information transmission, track compliance violations and incidents, and provide evidence of security measures implementation. The regulation requires organizations to retain proof of employee instruction for five years, report losses immediately to designated responsible persons, and demonstrate ongoing compliance through regular self-accreditation processes every three years. Kiteworks supports these tracking requirements through comprehensive compliance summary reports that demonstrate adherence to various regulatory controls based on individual policy implementations. The platform maintains detailed audit logs of all user activities, file access, and transmission events, enabling organizations to document consent processes and track classified information handling. Kiteworks’ risky settings detection and dashboard automatically monitors potentially unsafe configuration changes, requiring authorization sign-offs before implementation and providing centralized visibility into compliance status. The system’s attribute-based access controls create granular logs of user interactions with classified data, supporting the required documentation for regulatory reviews and self-accreditation processes mandated by the German federal authorities.

Kiteworks delivers compliance support for the German VS-NfD Code of Practice through its integrated security architecture that addresses the regulation’s three critical domains. The platform’s hardened virtual appliance provides the technical foundation required for BSI-approved security measures, while zero-trust architecture and attribute-based access controls enforce strict need-to-know principles for classified information handling. Kiteworks’ multi-layered encryption approach, combining double encryption at rest with FIPS-validated transit encryption, meets the regulation’s stringent technical safeguards for data protection. The system’s comprehensive audit logs and compliance reporting capabilities enable organizations to demonstrate adherence to documentation requirements and support mandatory self-accreditation processes. Through SafeEDIT possessionless editing and SafeVIEW secure viewing, Kiteworks enables secure remote work scenarios while maintaining control over classified materials. Organizations implementing Kiteworks can strengthen their security posture and work toward meeting VS-NfD requirements while supporting their mission-critical operations with classified information.