RAD’s SecFlow is the “Swiss Army Knife” Needed for Industrial IoT

Written By Cutter Networks

There are many challenges faced by our customers venturing into industrial IoT. While adding devices like cameras, sensors, etc. into your network and integrating them into your existing system may seem ideal, and even necessary, many struggle with issues like security, a variety of interfaces, and installation of the new equipment, as well as the upfront cost.

Diagram showing a possible application for the SecFlow

Fortunately, RAD Data Communications- one of our long-time vendors- has a product line called the SecFlow that solves these problems for many of our customers. The SecFlow is a multi-service access gateway that can support gigabit ethernet (GBE), Serial RS-232/485, and Power over Ethernet (PoE), along with wireless communications in the form of WiFi, LTE, and LoRA (a low power wireless network used for sensor devices). This variety of interfaces allows the SecFlow to work with a wide range of IoT devices like sensors, cameras, meter aggregators, and WiFi access points to suit the needs of almost any application with only one box needed.

The SecFlow is even more powerful because of its edge computing capabilities. Instead of storing all of the sensor data or video footage locally, in the cloud, or sending it back to the data center, the SecFlow can use its Linux-based container OS (vCPE-OS) to host third-party IIoT software that processes the data and then only sends what is necessary, reducing the strain on your network’s resources.

When it is time for the SecFlow to send the data collected to the data center, the device is capable of dynamic routing with OSPF, BGP, VRF or secure VPN using IPsec, DMVPN and OpenVPN for flexible connectivity. Additionally, the SecFlow can be paired with a cloud service to upload data instead of or in addition to sending it to the data center.

For those concerned about security, the SecFlow also has that covered. Trusted by many customers across industries, the SecFlow is equipped with 802.1X, IPsec encryption with automated PKI, and a stateful firewall. When combined with RADview, the SecFlow’s security becomes even greater, with firewall configuration, fault management and reporting, bulk software upgrade, and database management available through the RADview software.

In short, the RAD SecFlow solves many of the concerns our customers frequently have about moving toward IoT in their network, greatly simplifying the process without restricting the IoT devices that can be used, since it can accommodate a wide variety of software and interfaces.

For more information, contact us.

Cutter Networks