Vereinfachen.
Like simplification.
Verbesserung.
Like improvement.
Variabel.
Like adaptable.
VICOS: VIRTIMO COMMUNICATION SERVICE.
Full-service for market communication!
Market communication in easy: With the Virtimo Communication Service [VICOS], we offer you a scalable shared service for the complete mapping of market communication – always in accordance with the current legal requirements for the energy sector!
We take on the whole range of requirements for you, acting as a service provider with our own market partner code and certificate management, from installation to everyday operation all the way to eliminating errors and problems with partners.
Our holistic approach combines infrastructure, operation and application and as such facilitates the optimally coordinated execution of market communication.
Complex, encompassing, time-sensitive – we implement the new BSI guidelines on market communication for you. VICOS users benefit from the extensive synergies of the shared service and 24/7 support, regardless of the market role and company size.
With BSI AS4, all previously applied procedures and regulations have lost their validity: protocols, certificates, encryption, data storage, software, hardware, personnel, overall organization – no stone will be left unturned. Another factor is the time pressure: the switch for the electricity schedule management is binding as of December 1, 2024; the market communication gas will follow on April 1, 2025. The conversion for redispatch is also expected in 2025.
Under the BSI premise of cryptoagility, energy supplies need new solutions and organizational approaches to meet the constantly changing framework conditions. A comprehensive new communication paradigm was therefore developed in coordination with the BDEW. The complex conversion requires a tried-and-tested solution such as VICOS.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW MARKET COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO BSI AS4.
Always up to date, proactive, holistic.
We make your market communication with BSI AS4 work!
- Installation and proactive central maintenance of partner master data, communication links, and integration of the new directory service as a complete service to you
- Continuous monitoring and analysis of changes in the market as well as updates of data formats according to regulatory changes
- Acquisition, monitoring and exchange of certificates as well as proactive informing of partners
- Complete mapping of communication requirements AS4, AS2, E-Mail as well as BSI AS4
- Automatic validation of messages and automated generation of confirmation messages
- Proactive analysis and handling of any erroneous communication processes due to false formats, false security guidelines [e.g. missing or false signature/encryption], unavailable partners [e.g. errors, firewall] and other reasons, as well as partner communication for error management
- Geo-redundant regular operation, maintenance and disaster recovery of the hardware security modules
- Knowledge Base of erroneous partner connections for quick and efficient problem solving
- 24/7 assistance and support for service users: Monitoring using VIMON, the Virtimo Application and Performance Monitoring, multi-channel alerting, error elimination in partner communication and infrastructure
- Redundant multiple-copy long-term archiving of messages with a hold time of ten years to support storage requirements
- Full transparency for you: You will keep track of your messages and have access to all messages with the Virtimo BPC Monitoring
Only the best for our clients: VICOS guarantees highest quality and availability for executing your market communication. The operation of our comprehensive service is managed cloud-based by Virtimo. A highly available VPN gateway facilitates connections to the TSO Data Center and other cloud services. We also ensure efficient geo-redundant operation, fault elimination as well as maintenance of the hardware security modules.
The VICOS architecture is built as an Active/Active cluster, which ensures maximal scalability and availability. For external communication [AS4, AS2, E-mail as well as BSI AS4], an equally available application load balancer is provided. It acts as an interface to the database server [for technical data] and mail server [for market communication and alerting] as well as your specific internal systems – regardless of whether these operate on-premise or in the cloud.
To guarantee operation security and service functionality, we regularly and proactively apply software and application patches as part of the Virtimo Communication Service. With VIMON [Virtimo Application and Performance Monitoring], we additionally run a separate specialized environment for monitoring, alerting and SLA measuring, which serves as the basis for your SLA reporting.
Infrastructure and operation from a single source: highly available, highest quality.
Market communication with top-level security.
Security, of course, is a top priority in market communication! VICOS as a Shared Service Platform is based around a comprehensive security concept which ensures information security with regard to confidentiality, integrity, traceability, authenticity and availability.
For the fundamental safeguarding of infrastructure and servers we provide a well-engineered firewall plan, data encryption, backups, operation system updates, and a continuous turnover of transport algorithms and certificates [transport layer security], among others. The certificate used in market communication is signed with RSASSA-PSS in accordance with the current requirements of the Federal Network Agency. The market partners’ certificates are periodically inspected for validity according to the Certificate Revocation List and updated if necessary.
In addition, application-specific security measures have been implemented for VICOS. The security concept includes an intrusion detection system, a periodic inspection of all relevant log files as well as certificate-based two-factor authentication for the client’s individual monitoring access points. Certification authority lies with Virtimo, so your employees have quick access to the application at any time.
The energy transition, political developments and increasing demands on IT security pose major challenges for the energy market. The development of LNG terminals to secure the gas supply is an example of the implementation of new solutions. In this context, efficient coordination of a large number of market participants, systems and processes is required. As entry points into the gas grid, LNG terminals must also implement market communication in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
With VICOS, we offer our LNG clients a high-performance cloud service for exchanging data with market partners such as network operators. This includes, for example, nominations of shippers, matching with neighboring network operators, reports to GIE [Gas Infrastructure Europe] or other regulatory reporting obligations.
With Brunsbüttel, Lubmin and Mukran, three of the German LNG terminals already communicate via VICOS. Find out more about the exceptionally fast onboarding process that we have gone through together with our clients to accommodate the prioritized expansion of the national LNG infrastructure.
Market Communication via VICOS also for LNG Terminals.
You gain time.
VICOS is ready to use inclusive BSI AS4: We are ready when you are!
You unburden your staff.
Partner management, updates, problem solving – we do it for you!
You spare your nerves.
Always up-to-date, highest quality service, highly available operation, 24/7 assistance!
You save expenses.
Reduced cost at maximal quality – that’s the VICOS all-round carefree service!
We provide answers.
Your contact at Virtimo.
Linda Naujokat
Sales
Virtimo AG