European provisions for cyber security in the smart grid – an overview of the NIS-directive

Abstract

Due to increasing cyber-criminal actions security incidents pose a significant threat for society and economy. Such incidents may also affect personal data which could especially concern the exercise of economic activities, produce financial losses and harm the confidence of the users. To ensure the communication of the most serious security incidents there is a need to introduce minimum security requirements at Union level which apply to all communication and information systems. According to this risk the Network and Information Security Directive (NIS-Directive) (directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union, Directive (EU) 2016/1148) entered into force in August 2016. But how will this Directive influence the Energy Sector – this question is being examined.