Modem Security
Radius, Steadfast
AES Encryption

Network security is a high priority for any enterprise and information network that stores or provides access to critical assets. General DataComm’s SpectraComm family of systems and network devices support SteadFast Modem Security solutions that protect your network assets from attacks by illegal users and malicious hackers. GDC systems and products are designed with rigorous security solutions that meet the requirements of mission-critical network applications, such as service provisioning, banking and financial communication, transportation and governmental agencies. GDC’s proven “telco-tough” SpectraComm SteadFast solutions give network administrators a suite of protection options for their large or small network environments,including Security, Authentication, Encryption and Disaster Recovery. SteadFast Modem Security solutions protect network assets by blocking disruption of service due to data theft, data corruption, illegal intrusions, shutdowns, line failure and component failure.

RADIUS Security for Legacy Applications

To answer many of the Internet's security needs, a new standard of authentication was required. Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) brought a client-server architecture to ISPs, enabling efficient, secure authentication of dial-in users. RADIUS manages a database of users, provides authentication so that the dial-in user is allowed access, and delivers configuration information detailing the type of service to provide to the user -- such as SLIP, PPP, telnet, etc.

Just as RADIUS answered the needs of ISPs for security, network managers can use dial-in serial connections for remote management, providing contact with every device in the network. This provides the perfect way to authenticate users of legacy equipment and applications.

GDC's SpectraComm Manager (SCM), Dual V.34 and single SpectraComm V.34 modems' management support RADIUS Security. The V.34 modems prompt the user for name and password and forward this information to the RADIUS server. The RADIUS server authenticates the user and returns a message to the modem to grant or deny access. Optionally, the RADIUS server may challenge the remote user and request additional information before granting access.

Steadfast Security®

GDC modems offer "hacker" protection through our SteadFast Security®. This exclusive system delivers two levels of first line security:

1.	Handshake Security -- In this mode, only another modem with GDC's Handshake Security can connect to your PC or server equipment, providing hardware verification as the first line road block to "hackers." Additionally,this is excellent for use with remote control software packages and remote LAN access applications.
2.	On-line Security -- In this mode, any brand modem that calls your modem will be prompted with a message to "Enter Password." With on-line security, you can assign up to 10 passwords for:
	A. PassThrough Security -- When the password is accepted, the caller is connected.
	B. CallBack Security -- The modem verifies the password, and calls back a previously stored number.
	C. Roving CallBack Security -- The caller enters the password and a phone number to "callback."

 

AES Encryption

AES Encryption employs the Advanced Encryption Standard which is a symmetric 128-bit block data encryption technique. AES Encryption takes plain-text data and encrypts it according to the AES algorithm to generate cipher-text data. AES is an approved FIPS-197 U.S. Government encryption standard.SpectraComm VF 28.8, Dual V.34, V.34 and V.34 4-Port modems support the AES (Rijndael) encryption standard. The user configures the modem for AES Encryption by entering an encryption key via AT commands at one of the modem’s management interfaces Telnet connection through the SCM, the SCM craft port, or the modem’s DTE interface). AES Encryption allows each modem to take transmit/receive asynchronous data and encrypt/decrypt it on a dial-up or private line network.

Secure Access Controller

The Secure Access Controller (SAC) system employs a factory- optioned GDC V.34 modem to authenticate remote users attempting to access protected network equipment, such as switches, routers, multiplexers, etc. and then AES Encrypts data once the user is authenticated. SpectraComm V.34 and Dual V.34 modems support the Secure Access feature. The modem is user-configured via extended AT commands typed at one of the modem’s management interfaces (Telnet via the SCM, the SCM craft port, or a terminal connected to the modem’s DTE connector).

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