Make your Dark Fibre connection even more secure with encryption

Is my data adequately protected? And what about security during data transport? What are the consequences if things go wrong and (sensitive) information falls into the wrong hands? Organisations are increasingly concerned about issues like these.

The amount of data we share grows enormously every year. Unfortunately, this has also led to a corresponding increase in cybercrime and security incidents. This phenomenon forces organisations – particularly those that work with highly sensitive information – to review their security policy. European privacy legislation (the GDPR) – which came into effect on 25 May 2018 – has also boosted this trend.

Organisations increasingly need to be able to demonstrate that they are in control. And that they process personal and company data in a responsible manner. In other words, they must ensure digital security. Data storage is not the only aspect that requires protection; data transport is at least as important. And this is where good connectivity, i.e. Dark Fibre, comes into play.

Dark Fibre is the most secure option

Leased and private fibre-optic cables run through publicly accessible areas, which makes them vulnerable to ‘burglary’. Criminals tap into fibre-optic cables using increasingly simple equipment, which is also becoming cheaper by the day. As a result, data can end up in the wrong hands, which is obviously the last thing you want as an organisation. A Dark Fibre connection is the most secure option because it is a private line. Because you use your own activating equipment to operate your Dark Fibre network, you have greater control over connection security.

What if you want to make your connection even more secure – because you work with highly sensitive data, for example – without compromising speed? In this case, you can also apply encryption at (light) signal level, i.e. on the fibre-optic cable itself. This is known as optical encryption.

What exactly is encryption?

It is the basic component of data security. Put simply; a method for encoding data. Information is encrypted using an algorithm (a mathematical technique) to make it unreadable. It can only be read again after decryption.

Optical encryption is the most secure encryption method and offers several advantages over traditional security solutions:

1. You are guaranteed optimal traffic protection at all times because this solution is always active. This is often not the case with traditional security methods. The incoming and outgoing traffic is often left untouched, meaning that data can easily be sent to the outside world by email (or in other ways via the Internet).
2. It provides maximum throughput without compromising performance and requires no additional hardware. As the increase in latency is very small and the bandwidth is used efficiently, no speed is lost. This is in stark contrast to encryption at IP level, which has a significant effect on the performance of your systems. Encryption at higher levels slows server processing, which in turn leads to a requirement for additional hardware.
3. Finally, encryption at the lowest level requires significantly less energy, thereby contributing to achievement of your CSR objectives.

Is encryption necessary or desirable for your organisation? For example, because you work for a healthcare, government or financial institution? If so, Relined can help you set up your own private Dark Fibre connection and all the associated security aspects. We collaborate with Fujitsu and ADVA in this area as they offer the most suitable security solutions for your data and data traffic.