The WG "Security of networked systems" has developed a common position with regard to the security challenges, basic requirements and approaches for secure communications in Industrie 4.0 environments, which specifically addresses the needs of cross-company value networks. The publication also derives recommendations for government and business to establish such networks. Fundamental to secure cross-business cooperation is the issue of whether the senders and recipients of the data are actually who they purport to be and whether they are authorized to send or receive the particular data.