Addressing Security Vulnerabilities in SDN and NFV Networks

Telco Systems launched a new cyber-security solution NFV CyberGuard. The solution is designed to help telecom service providers to protect against potential security vulnerabilities resulting from deploying new SDN (Software Defined Networks) and NFV (Network Function Virtualization) technologies and infrastructures.

SDN and NFV technologies allow service providers to transform their existing infrastructure into more IT aware and versatile. With the help of SDN and NFV, they can go beyond being mere connectivity providers, and start offering more value added services to their customers. Adding new capabilities to their networks becomes faster and cheaper over SDN and NFV, allowing service providers to experience ROIs on innovative offerings with shorter turnaround times.

NFV CyberGuard leverages advanced network monitoring sensors deployed as a virtualized network function to continuously gather application-level session information from across the entire network. These monitoring sensors are embedded onto Telco Systems’ CloudMetro virtualization platform and are combined with a big data analytics engine and an SDN controller running on Telco Systems’ EdgeGenie Orchestrator. The information collected by these sensors is compiled into a database of expected network behavior, which is then used by a big-data analytics engine to monitor for anomalies in network activities, and issue alerts, if detected.

NFV CyberGuard can monitor the network in real-time and identify the presence of any Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), flooding and direct denial of service (DDoS) attempts on the network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI), remote access threats and specific attacks on the application (VMs) plane and spoofing attacks on all open network layers. If the solution finds any anomalies in the network behavior, it immediately activates the SDN controller to apply the organization’s predefined policies to act against any threats before they cause damage.

Tradition telecoms networks are closed infrastructures that are protected by mature security solutions and practices. However, the deployment of new SDN and NFV technologies exposes telecoms service providers to hacking, malware attacks and other “IT-like” security vulnerabilities.

The release of the NFV CyberGuard solution is an extension of Telco Systems’ strategy to develop SDN and NFV solutions. Over the past year, the company has also launched its CloudMetro device, an NFV virtualization platform, and its EdgeGenie Orchestrator, an SDN controller device.

Telco Systems’ CEO, Ariel Efraiti explained that “The benefits of SDN and NFV are clear, although at the same time, the security risks associated with these technologies also need to be addressed. We are proud to be applying a unique usage of our new NFV innovations in our new cyber-protection solution to address the security vulnerabilities enabled by these two technologies.”

Telco Systems also launched a virtualized version of its new NFV CyberGuard solution. This virtualized version – called vCyber – enables telecom service providers to offer their enterprise customers cyber-security services.

Many telcos are already providing IT management and security services. However, most of these services are hardware-based and labor intensive to support and maintain. Virtualization enables telecom service providers to maintain their services via software and offer any technical assistance remotely, instead of sending technicians to the physical location – saving both time and money.

Telco Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of BATM Advanced Communications (LSE: BVC). The company positions itself as a leading provider of Carrier Ethernet and MPLS-based demarcation, aggregation and edge solutions. Telco Systems offers service providers opportunities to create intelligent, service-assured, CE 2.0-compliant networks for mobile backhaul, business services and cloud networking.[su_box title=”About Telco Systems” style=”noise” box_color=”#336588″]Telco Systems delivering innovative solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s networking challenges. Established in 1972, Telco Systems brings over 40 years of experience to the design and development of advanced, high-performance telecom network communications solutions.Telco Systems’ CE 2.0-compliant, end-to-end Ethernet product portfolio delivers a significant boost to large, medium and small service providers, as well as utilities and city carriers competing in a rapidly evolving telecommunications environment. Telco Systems provides service-aware, purpose-built, carrier-grade networking solutions under the auspice of our robust BiNOX operating system that supports a wide variety of technologies including Ethernet, MPLS, and circuit emulation services (CES).[/su_box]