Our world has always been dangerous, but recently, the nature of looming threats has taken an interesting shift. Today, the Internet and the World Wide Web provide us with many luxuries we consider commonplace, such as video streaming, instant messaging, cloud computing, etc. Internet-capable devices fill our homes, offices, and even our cars, a reality many try to exploit. The same information superhighway that powers our phones and computers is the vehicle by which cyber threats and malicious actors can wreak havoc.
Regarding critical infrastructure, the need to safeguard these assets from all threats, physical and cyber, cannot be overstated. At Rajant, our engineers are constantly motivated by this understanding, and we strive to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized intrusion via the networks powering essential devices and systems. There are multiple success stories across various industries where Rajant Kinetic Mesh® networks have been an integral layer in the shield that protects critical assets. First, we will review how we’ve engineered Rajant networks to achieve this incredible level of security; then, we’ll analyze real-world applications to demonstrate how network impermeability helps keep critical infrastructure secure and our way of life safe.
Security
The ever-increasing number of interconnected devices spanning connectivity networks has placed more pressure on those responsible for ensuring the security and authenticity of that data. Network operators and security officers are tasked with assuring their enterprise networks remain protected and that their information systems are uncompromised against increasingly complex threats.
The consequences of a network breach can be severe, to say the least, for many crucial industries. At Rajant, the depth and knowledge of our security expertise are grounded in recognizing that you must assess and plan for its security before building a network infrastructure. That process involves vulnerability assessments and implementing a comprehensive Information Assurance plan. More and more commercial and industrial operators are realizing the need for a robust approach to information security. At Rajant, we strive to provide the highest level of network security while accommodating the unique needs of each business.
With varying levels of encryption technology, including our latest RiSM hardware security module and our BC|Commander® management and monitoring software, administrators can easily configure security features to meet their specific needs. While no defense method can guarantee absolute security, implementing best-in-class security solutions, like Rajant’s military-grade networking, is critical to detecting and defeating attacks and safeguarding vitally important data.
Rajant’s Advanced Encryption Technology: RiSM
Rajant Kinetic Mesh and our family of products are built to military standards. This includes all BreadCrumb® nodes offering many levels of encryption to protect against unwanted access. Our newest peripheral is the RiSM or Rajant In-line Security Module.
The RiSM is capable of high data bandwidth and low latency throughput over gigabit ethernet. RiSM is a Hardware Security Module (HSM) that protects cryptographic keys by only allowing access to the Crypto Officer. This makes it harder for cyber attackers to find those cryptographic keys, thus strengthening your business’ security posture. HSMs are specially designed to establish a root of trust, safeguarding and managing cryptographic keys and processes within a certified hardware environment.
Based on Rajant’s Wolverine Crypto Module, the RiSM passes the most stringent U.S. Government certification requirements, meeting NIST FIPS 140-3 requirements that guarantee the safeguarding of sensitive information. A RiSM module can be added to an existing Rajant Kinetic MeshⓇ wireless network because of its low power requirements and PoE passthrough capabilities.
Ports
With more than 90% of global trade carried by the international shipping industry, ports have become critical hubs often targeted by malicious physical and cybersecurity threats. While many ports have implemented complex, layered physical security systems, the need for more advanced cybersecurity measures and network security is likely to grow as threats become more advanced.
In partnership with DP World for work at the Antwerp Gateway port, we realized that increasing volumes of cargo and data make security more difficult. Rajant Kinetic Mesh networks allow data-intensive applications such as video surveillance and real-time asset tracking to function reliably while ensuring no weak points in the network are open to attack.
Furthermore, ports are bustling operations that require immediate access to data. Operators must ensure access to information on the location and status of people and cargo and the ability to access many data-intensive operational applications. Things like crane management systems, GPS tracking, vehicle management, automation, and surveillance must be connected to a reliable network to provide real-time insights into port operations.
With a Rajant network, operators effectively addressed interference, mobility, and scalability issues. Antwerp port operators brought IoT to life by creating a Living Network™ that works autonomously to deliver robust security and applications in real-time.
Nuclear Facilities
Rajant Corporation plays a vital role in supporting public safety around nuclear facilities, as demonstrated by our work at the Dounreay Nuclear Site in Scotland earlier this year. In partnership with Createc Ltd. and Boston Dynamics, Rajant Kinetic Mesh provided the robust wireless communication capacity needed to decommission this dangerous environment safely. By equipping Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots with its BreadCrumb radios, Rajant enabled them to navigate the interior of the highly irradiated site, collecting critical data on radiation levels without putting human operators at risk. This technology allows seamless communication within the site’s challenging environment, overcoming obstacles like thick walls and radiation interference, ensuring the safe mapping of the facility, and the safe removal of nuclear waste.
At Dounreay, Rajant Kinetic Mesh allowed remote robotic operations beyond visual line-of-sight to ensure safety in the multi-room, multi-floor nuclear facility. The deployment of Spot robots, integrated with Createc’s advanced radiation mapping systems, provided precise 3D models and radiometric surveys of the site. This data has proven essential in planning the decommissioning of the Dounreay site, helping keep human workers away from hazardous radiation and saving costs. This kind of work is only possible with a Rajant Kinetic Mesh Network, underscoring its critical role in enhancing public safety and operational efficiency in the nuclear sector.
Utilities
In collaboration with GrayMatter, Rajant Kinetic Mesh enabled a modernized, real-time monitoring system that safeguards the city’s water and wastewater services. The water utility achieved seamless, high-bandwidth communication across multiple pumping stations by replacing outdated phone-line-based telemetry and legacy radios with Rajant’s ES1-2450 and ES1-5050 BreadCrumbs. This robust network ensures continuous connectivity, allowing the utility to monitor water flow, detect system anomalies, and respond to potential issues before they escalate into public safety risks, all while integrating existing infrastructure at the site. Our partnership with GrayMatter is a prime example of how advanced wireless communication technology can bolster critical infrastructure and promote public safety in the utilities sector.
Rajant’s solution significantly enhances the efficiency and safety of water management operations and other essential utilities. Electric utilities of all sizes can benefit from the cost savings, efficiency, and safety gains enabled by smart devices for remote, real-time grid management. Hackers constantly threaten power grids, particularly as utilities integrate more IP-based smart systems into their infrastructures. Rajant’s technology was born from military applications, and today, our networks are helping secure many power grids across the U.S. The most intelligent network for the job is Rajant Kinetic Mesh, which continues to prove itself repeatedly.
The Best Offense is a Strong Defense
The stakes are high, as malicious actors target vulnerable access points to compromise sensitive systems; data network security is becoming increasingly vital for commercial enterprises, public utilities, and many more industries. Administrators must have the best-layered defense possible to eliminate access points for malicious actors to infiltrate these critical assets. The cyber backbone of that layered security comes with the network connecting the systems and devices needed to operate. By providing a reliable, secure, and scalable wireless network with Rajant Kinetic Mesh, you can rest assured that the level of security is our utmost priority and that we will continue to evolve to meet any new or changing threat.