Information is one of the world’s most sought-after commodities and protecting the vital flow of that information from theft and sabotage is a critical challenge. Increasingly the cables used to transmit data are drawing heightened attention. These cables form the network backbone yet both copper and fiber cables are vulnerable to intruders that might tap into their data streams.
Secure At the Physical Layers
Encryption codes protect data by making it more difficult to decipher, but given enough time an insider can defeat an encryption code. That’s why Fiber SenSys offers SecurLAN an intrusion detection system designed to protect data networks at the physical layer. SecurLAN monitors for tiny vibrations caused when an intruder tries to cut into a data cable and tap into the data stream. Unlike encryption codes, SecurLAN cannot be “cracked.” That’s why it is required on the highest security networks, even the ones that also have encryption.
SecurLAN protects network data by using the same advanced fiber-optic sensing technology for which Fiber SenSys is renowned; the same technology used to help protect perimeters around nuclear missile sites. SecurLAN uses dark fibers (those not used to transmit data) to sense vibrations from any intruder attempting to physically tap the fiber-optic conduit or cable. By using fibers inside the network cable SecurLAN ensures network data cannot be compromised or stolen in the vulnerable stretch between terminals, even if the thief is an insider with easy access to those cables. Best of all, SecurLAN ties into existing network infrastructure, and thus requires minimal cost to install and operate.
The Fiber IS the Sensor
SecurLAN senses vibration using the same type of fiber employed in fiber-optic networks. In fact if your network has dark or unused fiber you can often use it as the sensor, eliminating the need to pull an additional sensing fiber through the cable conduit.
The Alarm Processing Unit transmits laser light through the sensing fiber and measures the light using a specialized optical receiver. Any physical disturbance of the cable disrupts the pattern, instantly alerting the operator when someone tries to tap into the network.
Sophisticated software algorithms discriminate between background noise and vibrations caused by intruders, virtually eliminating nuisance alarms. SecurLAN is highly resistant to false positives as well as attempts to defeat or sabotage the system. And because optical fiber is a dielectric, it is immune to noise that might otherwise be caused by electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI).
Government Certifications
SecurLAN® provides an alarmed carrier solution for government raceway, conduit, armored-interlocking cable, multi-strand cable or dark (un-used) fibers in your network. As a movement and vibration sensor, this solution detects when someone physically tries to cut into your network cable or raceway to access your data. A certified systems integrator can pull fiber into conduit / raceway if your network doesn’t have dark fibers available.
- The fiber-optic sensor is an integral part of the network cable. The sensor can utilize the Holocom Raceway, it can be co-located with data fiber, or can use existing dark fiber.
- The Alarm Processing Unit (APU) transmits light down the fiber and monitors the return light for changes indicating a physical disturbance in the network.
- These disturbances are analyzed and an alarm is generated when an accidental or intentional intrusion occurs.
- The system is tuned and calibrated to eliminate nuisance alarms and false alarms during the installation phase of a project.
- Important government network data can be shut down or re-routed in the event of an alarm with optional FSI product components.