8 Jul 2019
Strengthening Communication to the Cloud
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The security industry is seeing a significant demand for the incorporation of cybersecurity practices into physical security systems. We know this trend has been discussed time and time again, but it bears repeating as it is such an important factor to consider when it comes to an organization’s overall safety strategy — and when the consequences of ignorance could be insurmountable.
A greater level of cybersecurity awareness has led the industry to realize that one of the most critical areas that this need for protection comes from is within the communication between devices. The cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) have surely opened many doors for interconnectivity, but not without inherent vulnerabilities lurking beyond each entrance.
It is therefore essential that these valuable yet susceptible paths of communication be safeguarded at all times. Even if a physical security solution is doing its job, such as an intrusion system providing an alert for an incident, an organization is still not comprehensively secure when the method of communication for that alert is exposed.
FlexC - Built from the Ground Up
Communications protocols, such as Vanderbilt’s FlexC (Flexible Secure Communications Protocol), can be put in place to ensure the cybersecurity of these transmissions. FlexC is a multipath, multi-redundant, highly encrypted communications protocol that allows secure monitoring and control of IP communication paths.
Built from the ground-up and solely with cybersecurity in mind, FlexC is a bespoke design that takes into consideration multiple types of attacks for defensive purposes, facilitating inclusive protection and an exceptionally secure cloud network. In technical terms, FlexC enables communications for an IP-based single or multiple path Alarm Transmission System (ATS), which consists of a primary Alarm Transmission Path (ATP) and up to nine backup ATPs.
The Power of Encryption
The primary characteristic of FlexC’s power is encryption, which ensures that data packets sent to the cloud cannot be sniffed or intercepted. This added level of defense provides compliance benefits, enhanced security and peace of mind — all of which are crucial to take on the most prominent cyber risks.
The transmission of data has become such a vital part of the efficiency and effectiveness of today’s security solutions, but unfortunately it has also turned into a common target. Communications protocols such as FlexC can help establish a fortified method of transmission, allowing physical security systems to safely do their job.