VCL-2143, Network MouseTrαp – Cyber Security solution, a part of the Cyber Defence Strategy

The basis of any Cyber Security Defence Strategy is to foil cyber-attacks, ransomware-attacks and unauthorized intrusions that may compromise the critical communication infrastructure of an organization or nation, and render its operations insecure and vulnerable to hostile elements and sponsored bad actors.

VCL-2143, Network MouseTrαp, is an advanced Honeypot and is an essential network security and forensics tool that enables users to detect firewall breaches and unauthorized network intrusions in their network, in near real-time. It provides alerts in real time - including audio and visual alerts – on detection of a network security breach / ransomware attack etc. It fingerprints the credentials of the hostile entity who have entered the protected network by maintaining a complete log of their credentials such as IP address, domain and the originating location details of the intruder along with providing a trace-route of the intrusion.

This solution not only provides seamless scalability, is infrastructure neutral and transparent to networks and network applications.

Commenting on the solution, Mr. Inder Mohan Sood, CEO said, “Gaining sensitive operational data through undetected intrusions that result from firewall breaches, the presence of trojans as well as malware which can be planted or introduced from within, in any vulnerable point of the network is becoming increasingly frequent resulting in catastrophic outcomes. These threats may be result of the state sponsored adversaries or just bad actors acting independently to initiate the cyber attackers. In view of this, it becomes imperative that effective mechanisms are put into place not only to prevent such attacks but also to detect any unlawful and unwarranted activities that may already be taking place within the network due the presence of trojans, viruses or malware that would open holes for back-door entry from within the existing firewalls resulting in a cyber-attack and cripple a nation’s utility infrastructure in the event of strife, or to simply inflict national humiliation.

The need for implementing an effective cyber security and counter-defence strategy becomes an utmost important aspect of protecting our critical infrastructure like Oil & Gas infrastructure, Thermal Power Plants, Hydro-Electric Generation and Transmission assets, Grid Operations as well as largely distributed renewable and power distribution infrastructure to ensure reliability and security in the national Power Grid.

Firewalls alone cannot form the centrepiece of the cyber-security strategy as firewall can be breached not only from outside but (more often) from the inside by trojans, viruses or malware which may have been planted or introduced these from within the most vulnerable points of the network. The artificial air gap created between IT and OT Systems by deploying only firewalls between any IT and OT System can be easily circumvented by any insider or any outsider. In short, having only firewalls as a tool to address a cyber-security defence strategy is a myth.

Cyber-attacks can be initiated through techniques of initial access, execution, persistence, privileged access, defence evasion, from outside threats or trusted insiders, command and control”.

The use of the VCL-2143, Network MouseTrαp becomes critical to any organization. By providing “Early Warning and Response Systems” behind the firewalls detection of cyber security incidents and helping mitigation of such cyber threats, safeguarding computer systems using early cyber-attack warning and intrusion detection algorithms with suitable audio-visual alerting mechanisms, and detecting cyber-attacks on SCADA and ICS systems, the Network MouseTrαp plays an important role of strengthening cyber security systems of an organization.

About Valiant Communications: Valiant is engaged in design, development and manufacture of cutting-edge technologies and solutions that include VCL Unified Network Management System for the secure remote configuration and management equipment to cater to utilities across the world including infrastructure companies, such as Power Utilities, Oil and Gas, Railways, National and State Electricity Boards, Airport Authorities as well as Corporate Networks, Banks and Financial Institutions in over 110 countries.