Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Perimeter Provides New Paradigm for M2M, IoT and Mobile Device Connectivity and Security

Software-Defined Perimeter solution works over any wired and wireless Internet connection to protect devices against attacks and isolate them from IT infrastructure


BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cradlepoint, the global leader in cloud-managed networking solutions over wired and wireless broadband, today announced the general release of its NetCloud Perimeter service, a Software-Defined Perimeter solution that provides a private cloud network over any Internet connection to secure and isolate connected devices, including M2M, IoT and mobile devices. NetCloud Perimeter provides a modern, cloud-based alternative to traditional VPN technology that is easier to configure, deploy and scale.

A recent Cradlepoint-sponsored State-of-IoT report conducted by Spiceworks found 69 percent of the 400 businesses surveyed with 500 or more employees have deployed or plan to deploy IoT solutions within the next year. IoT is being adopted across a range of industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare and government. Of the deployment concerns cited in the survey, security and solution cost ranked highest at 41 percent and 35 percent.

Despite security concerns, 49 percent of businesses surveyed have deployed IoT devices on their existing enterprise network – creating a sizeable attack surface and new threat vectors that traditional network security tools can’t cover. For example, Internet-accessible security cameras can become infected by bot-net attacks, like Mirai, Reaper and IoTroop, and enable pivot attacks into enterprise IT systems.

“The growth of the IoT means the deployment of many more network-connected devices. For many organizations that don’t have the correct solutions in place, this is opening up more entry points for hackers to exploit, and leading to major security issues,” said Christian Renaud, research director, Internet of Things, 451 Research. “Organizations need to consider which network they run their IoT service on, and then ensure they manage the security of these networks, the IoT devices they plan to use and proactively protect themselves before any potential threats even appear.”

Connect, Protect and Isolate M2M, IoT and Mobile Devices

NetCloud Perimeter, part of Cradlepoint’s NetCloud platform, is a cloud service that shields enterprises from device-oriented threats by providing a private cloud network that overlays the Internet or enterprise network with a virtual perimeter to isolates and protects M2M, IoT and mobile devices. It further provides a closed, invitation-only network with its own private IP address space to cloak devices from the outside world.

Other unique benefits of NetCloud Perimeter include:

  • Simple to configure and deploy in minutes
  • Global footprint that is accessible from any wired or wireless connection
  • End-to-end visibility and control through NetCloud Manager
  • Micro-segment M2M, IoT and mobile devices by user, device and application
  • Configurable secure Internet egress protected by integral firewall and carrier-grade NAT
  • Active Directory and private DNS server integration shields against DNS-related threats.

When deployed over 4G LTE, NetCloud Perimeter’s encrypted and fully switched overlays can reduce the need for costly and complex private Access Point Networks (APNs) and static IPv4 addresses  that are scarce on many cellular networks.

“The way you connect and protect an IoT device network with potentially hundreds of thousands of Internet-attached endpoints is very different from the traditional enterprise security model for branch sites and WinTel PCs,” said Ken Hosac, vice president of Cradlepoint IoT Solutions and Ecosystem. “NetCloud Perimeter represents a clean-slate approach to device networking that combines a Software-Defined Perimeter architecture with private IP overlays and cloud orchestration to deliver optimal security, availability and control as well as logical isolation from the Internet and private networks.”

Other common use cases for NetCloud Perimeter include: secure remote access for mobile field-based workforces, remote management of field-based devices, persistent connectivity for in-vehicle notebooks and tablets, and in-branch isolation of devices such as point-of-sales (PoS) machines, security camera and digital signage.

DSC Dredge is a NetCloud Perimeter customer and the global leader in the manufacture of custom dredging solutions, some as large as a football field and capable of dredging rock up to 150 feet below the earth’s surface. These advanced machines are highly automated and leverage an on-board network to connect six programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and two human machine interfaces (HMIs) as well as multiple security cameras. DSC uses NetCloud Perimeter via Cradlepoint 4G LTE routers to gather telemetry data, monitor dredge operations and provide remote system maintenance from dredges deployed around the world.

“With SD-Perimeter, we don’t have to be in the office, at the other end of an IPsec tunnel, to access our network. We have an easy and secure way to remotely access our devices anytime, anywhere," said Richard Groce, director of information technology for DSC Dredge.

About NetCloud Perimeter

NetCloud Perimeter is deployed within a broad number of customers and industries today, including: field services, healthcare, public sector, manufacturing and smart cities. It is available as part of Cradlepoint NetCloud annual subscriptions and supports both client-based and integrated gateway deployments on select Cradlepoint COR-Series and AER-Series routers. Click here for more information.

About Cradlepoint

Cradlepoint is the global leader in cloud-managed 4G LTE networking solutions. Cradlepoint NetCloud is a network management platform that extends the company’s 4G LTE-enabled multi-function routers and ruggedized M2M/IoT gateways with centralized management and software-defined network services. With Cradlepoint, customers leverage the speed and economics of combining wired and wireless Internet broadband for branch, mobile, and IoT networks while maintaining end-to-end visibility, security and control. More than 17,000 enterprise and government organizations around the world — including 75 percent of the world’s top retailers, 50 percent of the Fortune 100, and 25 of the largest U.S. cities — rely on Cradlepoint to keep critical sites, workforces, vehicles, and devices always connected and protected. Major service providers use Cradlepoint network solutions as the foundation for innovative managed service offerings. Founded in 2006, Cradlepoint is a privately held company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with development centers in Silicon Valley and Kelowna, Canada, and offices in the UK, Australia, and Japan. Learn more at cradlepoint.com or follow us on Twitter @cradlepoint.

Press Contact:
Emily Gallagher
Touchdown PR
cradlepoint@touchdownpr.com
512-373-8500