Verschlusssachen - nur für den Dienstgebrauch (VS-NfD) stands for "classified information - for official use only" and is one of the four levels of secrecy for data in German public authorities.
The secrecy levels describe within German federal agencies classify information according to its impact on the Federal Republic of Germany or one of its states if it were to come to the attention of unauthorized persons:
- 1. STRENG GEHEIM / TOP SECRET (May endanger the existence or vital interests).
- 2. GEHEIM / SECRET (May endanger security or cause serious damage to its interests)
- 3. VS-VERTRAULICH / VS-CONFIDENTIAL (May be harmful to interests)
- 4. VS-NUR FÜR DEN DIENSTGEBRAUCH / VS-FOR-OFFICIAL-USE-ONLY (May be detrimental to interests).
Information marked as “VS-NfD” is only to be viewed and processed by persons with the appropriate authorization. Mobile data carriers (such as laptops) on which “VS-NfD” information is stored or processed must be encrypted with approved products. The VS-NfD approval is granted by the BSI, the German Federal Office for Information Security.
BSI-approved for VS-NfD: File and Folder Encryption, Hardware Security Module, and Hard Disk Encryption
LAN Crypt File and Folder Encryption with VS-NfD approval make the sensitive data unreadable to unauthorized people in public sectors. With role-based access management, only authorized groups of people can access the corresponding encrypted files. Utimaco’s encryption solution ensures that data is protected at rest and in motion.
With the CryptoServer General Purpose HSM with VS-NfD Compliance Version, Utimaco provides the only VS-NfD HSM that has been approved by the BSI and is, therefore, the only secure solution for key processing and storage in accordance with VS-NfD requirements.
In addition, Utimaco provides hard disk encryption for laptops processing VS-NfD data.
The Full Disk Encryption solution and the CryptoServer General Purpose HSM with VS-NfD can be used together. The keys used in Full Disk Encryption are generated securely and automatically with the random number generator of CryptoServer General Purpose HSM. No manual actions are required from the user.
You can view the VS-NfD approval of Utimaco products here.
