Clavister Introduces LTE Mobile Backhaul Security Solution for Operators

Clavister, a leader in high-performance, high-availability network security, has launched its LTE Backhaul Security solution, enabling flexible deployment of IPsec encryption and firewalling at scale to secure mobile data traffic from cell sites to the network core.  The solution also protects small cell stations against being used for unauthorised network access and intrusion.

Clavister’s LTE Backhaul Security solution addresses the growing need to secure mobile data backhaul between the radio and LTE core networks.  Backhaul traffic in LTE networks can be vulnerable to interception, as data and packet encryption is optional, unlike backhaul in 2G and 3G networks.

While operators are starting to follow the 3rd Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP) recommendation of adopting IPsec protocols to secure mobile backhaul, research organisation Heavy Reading estimates that just 15% of global LTE cell sites supported IPsec encryption at the end of 2013.  This is expected to grow to 35% by the end of 2015, driven by increasing threats to mobile networks, competitive pressure and subscriber demand.

John Vestberg, CEO of Clavister said:  “Our LTE Backhaul Security solution secures mobile data traffic without compromising network capacity or throughput – enabling MNOs to offer subscribers the protection and fast mobile Internet access they expect.  As mobile networks transition to IP, Clavister’s next-generation gateways give operators the best platform to meet demands for end-to-end, standards-based security and high performance at scale.”

Clavister’s solution supports full 3GPP-compliant IPsec functionality alongside policy control, compliance logging, and bandwidth management.  Based on Clavister’s award-winning Virtual Series Gateway next-generation firewall (NGFW) range, it can be deployed on off-the-shelf x86 platforms embedded in hypervisors, enabling rapid deployment, seamless scalability and simplified management.

Clavister’s Virtual Gateway gives you the ability to run a massive amount of Clavister Virtual series’ in a single 1U rack server. This equals lower cost, lower storage space and lower operational cost, it also offer up to six nines (99.9999%) availability for carrier-grade applications, enabling the most demanding mobile network environments to be secured with unmatched throughput performance and low latency.

Clavister is a member of Intel’s Network Builders program (networkbuilders.intel.com), a cross-industry initiative that enables telcos to build and manage business-critical infrastructures, with lower capital and operating costs.  In 2013, global industry analyst Frost & Sullivan gave Clavister its ‘Product Quality Leadership Award’ for the performance, design and simplicity of its NGFW solutions.

For more information, visit:  http://www.clavister.com/solutions/telecom/backhaul-security/