VCL launches its Data Diode solution for critical industry applications

In today's digital business landscape, the risk of cyber-attacks has risen sharply. To protect organizational data and infrastructure, various network security technologies have emerged. Among these modern solutions, the data diode stands out as one of the most effective.

Valiant’s Data Diode (VCL Data Diode) is a hardware device for unidirectional network communication, enabling secure, one-way data transfer between isolated networks. It ensures data flows in one direction only, providing strong protection against data breaches, data thefts and cyber-attacks.

VCL Data Diode comprises of two elements.

1. VCL-5055, Network Side (ORANGE) Element.
2. VCL-5056, Protected Side (GREEN) Element.

The Network Side (ORANGE) Element shall connect to the Protected Side (GREEN) Element through a single, one-way, transmit only optical fiber which shall only allow the ONE-WAY flow of data from the Network Side (ORANGE) Element to the Protected Side (GREEN) Element, thereby creating a ONE-WAY data path.

Such a design ensures physical and electrical separation between source and destination networks. This architecture eliminates external entry points, blocking intruders and malicious elements from accessing the data secured by the VCL Data Diode. By securing data flow with the VCL Data Diode, the protected data is secure from malware transmission, unauthorized access, and harmful changes to an organization's data.

Valiant’s Data Diode finds it uses in applications and networks requiring highly secured protection of sensitive information, such as military, financial institutions, industrial design centres, utilities and critical infrastructure systems.

Valiant’s Data Diode allows critical infrastructure organizations to transmit and store real-time data securely. This technology protects valuable information and networks from data theft, tampering, destruction, and human error, preventing significant potential losses.

Ensuring One-Way Data Flow with a VCL Data Diode.

The VCL Data Diode ensures one-way data flow between the NETWORK (ORANGE) ELEMENT and PROTECTED (GREEN) ELEMENT using protocols that support one-way (unidirectional) traffic.

Supported Protocols:

UDP, OPC, TCP/IP, SNMP, SMTP, NTP, SQL, SFTP, FTP transfers (separately or simultaneously), HTTPS / HTTP, SYSLOG.

Applications:

Ransomware-Proof Backup

The VCL Data Diode can be used with the VCL-9090 NAS (Network Attached Storage) to back up data to a unidirectionally-protected repository that ransomware cannot access, encrypt or otherwise tamper with.

Hardware-Enforced protection – A summary of Key Features and Functions of Data Diodes:

1. One-Way Data Transfer: The VCL Data Diode physically enforces unidirectional data flow, meaning data can only be transmitted from the source network to the destination network, but not the other way around. This ensures that any potential threats or malware cannot travel back from the destination network to the source network.
2. High Security: By preventing bidirectional communication, data diodes eliminate the risk of external attacks on the source network. This makes them ideal for protecting critical systems and sensitive data.
3. Hardware-Based Solution: Unlike software-based firewalls and other security measures, the VCL Data Diode may be used to enforce hardware-based data flow restrictions. This makes the network more robust and protected against software vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
4. Applications - The VCL Data Diodes may be used to protect:
1. Industrial Control Systems (ICS): Used to protect control systems in power plants, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure.
2. Military and Défense: To store and protect sensitive military records and data.
3. Financial Services: Used to securely store banking data, details of financial transactions and financial records.
4. Health Care: To ensure secure storage of patient data and medical records.

Common Use Cases:

Critical infrastructure operators, industrial companies, military commands, intelligence organizations, and even commercial companies such as financial institutions use data diodes to provide reliable, hardware-enforced security for their systems and networks.

1. Protecting SCADA Systems:Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in industrial settings can be secured with data diodes to prevent unauthorized access and cyber-attacks.
2. Securing Classified Networks: The VCL Data Diode can be used can be used by the military and other government agencies to ensure that classified information cannot be accessed or leaked through network connections.
3. Ensuring Data Integrity in Financial Transactions: The VCL Data Diode can be used by banks and financial institutions to securely store customer account data and transaction records and ensure the integrity of financial records.
4. Power Generation Facilities:Data diodes are commonly used in power generation facilities to protect turbines and other critical power generating infrastructure equipment.