Empowering Secure Connectivity with Digi Mobile VPN

When it comes to connectivity, businesses need to ensure privacy, security, and reliability. These items are non-negotiable, especially for critical communications. Digi International, a pioneering force in IoT solutions, has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of Digi Mobile VPN, a pivotal addition to the Digi SAFE™ solution. Digi SAFE™ protects both live voice communication and confidential data with three interlocking rings of security – Digi TrustFence®, FIPS 140-2 Validation, and CJIS-compliant Mobile VPN.

What Is Digi Mobile VPN?

Digi Mobile VPN stands at the forefront of secure connectivity solutions, offering users a seamless and encrypted connection between their data centers and Digi routers. This service, available as a value-added service through Digi Remote Manager® (Digi RM), provides persistent, secure connectivity, leveraging modern industry standards such as IKEv2 with MOBIKE (Mobile Internet Key Exchange).

Utilizing IKEv2 with MOBIKE allows for the creation of persistent connections, facilitating handshakes between the remote router and the server, while seamlessly maintaining the connection despite migrating from one IP address to another or from one network to another. This modern industry standard ensures a robust and uninterrupted connection, safeguarding critical communications in any environment.

Key Features and Capabilities

  • Enhanced privacy and security: Digi Mobile VPN prioritizes privacy and security, utilizing current encryption algorithms and authentication protocols to safeguard data confidentiality and integrity. With support for secure VPN protocols and built-in DNS leak protection, users can trust that their data remains secure during transit.
  • Reliability with increased speed: Digi transportation cellular routers feature hardware acceleration and meet government cybersecurity standards, ensuring maximum performance and reliability across secure Internet connections. Additionally, Digi SureLink®, a feature built into Digi routers, independently tests and challenges cellular or other WAN connections, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
  • Flexible application: While initially designed with a transportation focus, Digi Mobile VPN seamlessly adapts to various environments, including static settings such as stores or other commercial spaces. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to any network infrastructure, empowering secure connectivity wherever it’s needed.

Management with DAL OS and Digi RM

Digi Mobile VPN seamlessly integrates into Digi Accelerated Linux (DAL OS) and Digi RM, providing advanced management capabilities:

  • DAL OS: Digi’s standard operating system, embedded in all router models, ensures efficient performance and reliability, regardless of the deployment environment.
  • Digi Remote Manager®: With Digi RM, users can effortlessly deploy, monitor, and diagnose mission-critical devices from a single point of command, ensuring optimal network functionality and compliance standards.

Deployment and Scalability

Deployment of Digi Mobile VPN is flexible and scalable, catering to diverse network infrastructures and requirements:

  • Server-class machine: At the base site, a server-class machine running Radio IP Armada software is employed to aggregate incoming connections from Digi routers and other mobile devices. This allows for seamless termination of connections and ensures efficient communication across the network.
  • Virtualized solution: The Armada server can be deployed as a virtual server, offering flexibility and scalability without the need for physical hardware, thereby optimizing resource utilization and reducing infrastructure costs.

Use Cases

Digi Mobile VPN caters to a diverse range of use cases across various industries. This includes:

  • Emergency response coordination: Facilitating real-time communication and data sharing among first responders, law enforcement, and emergency medical services during critical incidents, enabling efficient coordination and resource allocation.
  • Surveillance and video streaming: Enabling secure live video streaming from incident sites to command centers, enhancing situational awareness for decision-makers and enabling timely responses to unfolding events.
  • Mobile command centers: Establishing secure mobile command centers with VPN connectivity, allowing remote access to critical data, communication channels, and resources during large-scale emergencies.
  • Remote dispatch and dispatch-to-unit communication: Providing seamless communication between dispatchers and field units, ensuring accurate information exchange, location tracking, and efficient task assignment.
  • Vehicle telematics and fleet management: Monitoring and managing the locations, routes, and status of public safety vehicles in real-time, optimizing response times and ensuring the safety of personnel.
  • Crisis communication and notifications: Disseminating alerts, updates, and notifications to field personnel, ensuring they have the most up-to-date information during evolving situations.
  • Incident reporting and data collection: Streamlining the process of documenting incidents and collecting data in the field, enhancing accuracy and accessibility of information for investigations and analysis.
  • Remote access to databases and resources: Enabling authorized personnel to securely access databases, records, and resources from the field, ensuring informed decision-making.
  • Disaster recovery and network resilience: Ensuring communication continuity during natural disasters or network failover by providing redundant, reliable connectivity options that keep critical communications operational.

Revolutionizing Secure Connectivity for Modern Communication Networks

In the dynamic landscape of communication technology, the introduction of Digi Mobile VPN marks a significant milestone in the quest for secure, reliable, and efficient connectivity solutions. As organizations navigate the complexities of modern communication networks, Digi International’s innovative approach, embodied by Digi Mobile VPN, provides a beacon of assurance in an era fraught with digital threats and challenges.

The diverse array of use cases served by Digi Mobile VPN underscores its versatility and adaptability across various industries. From emergency response coordination to surveillance and video streaming, Digi Mobile VPN empowers organizations to streamline operations, enhance situational awareness, and facilitate efficient resource allocation during critical incidents. This is all in credit to the persistent, secure connection it creates to your remote devices. 

Digi Mobile VPN keeps you in communication with what matters most to your organization. It can give you the peace of mind and assurance that’s needed to navigate the intricacies of the digital landscape with confidence. You can rest assured knowing that you’re ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across your organization. Therefore, for any organization in search of innovative technologies to gain a competitive edge, Digi Mobile VPN could prove to be the solution you’ve been seeking.

Digi Empowers Customers with “Drop-in Mode” for Seamless Internet Connectivity

Digi International is always looking for ways to help evolve networking solutions. The Digi Accelerated Linux operating system (DAL OS) enables “Drop-in Mode,” which reshapes the way we perceive network connectivity. This feature offers customers the flexibility to harness the power of Digi routers while retaining their existing firewall or router. It simplifies the complex process of integrating multiple Internet connections without the hassle of reconfiguration.

Understanding the Vision

Digi’s goal with “Drop-in Mode” is crystal clear: to empower sites with multiple Internet connections without necessitating any alterations to the existing router/firewall configuration. Typically, businesses operate on a single Internet connection through a wired WAN with a static IP address. The challenge arises when they need to integrate additional Internet sources seamlessly. 

Digi’s solution involves inserting their advanced router between the existing infrastructure and the ISP gateway. This strategic placement enables the Digi router to manage the WAN connectivity of the existing router/firewall effectively. The traffic is then intelligently routed through various WAN Internet connections, including primary wired Ethernet WAN, cellular backup connection, or a WAN bonded tunnel, as per the requirements.

Creating a Seamless Bridge

“Drop-in Mode” operates similarly to a passthrough mode, but with an innovative twist – it acts as a transparent bridge between the client device/firewall and the ISP gateway while providing a failover connection. This transparent bridge is a testament to Digi’s commitment to delivering a seamless user experience. By employing this mode, Digi ensures that the client device’s traffic, along with the data behind it, is channeled effortlessly to the appropriate WAN Internet connection. This process is facilitated through Digi’s sophisticated networking functionality, allowing the traffic to be routed based on metrics, default routes, policy-based routes, or static routing entries.

Sample setup

The Impact of Digi’s Innovation

Digi’s “Drop-in Mode” has far-reaching implications for businesses. First and foremost, it eradicates the complexities associated with integrating multiple Internet connections. This simplicity translates into significant time and cost savings for businesses, as there is no need for extensive reconfiguration or downtime during the installation process. Furthermore, the flexibility offered by “Drop-in Mode” means that businesses can adapt to changing connectivity needs swiftly and seamlessly, ensuring that they stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Empowering Connectivity for All

The versatility of “Drop-in Mode” extends its benefits far and wide, catering to the diverse needs of individuals and businesses, regardless of their scale. Whether you’re managing a home office or steering a large enterprise, this innovative feature proves to be a game-changer in ensuring seamless network connectivity with all the benefits of the Digi hardware and software.

Home Offices

In the era of remote work, home offices have become the backbone of productivity for countless professionals. For individuals working from home, a stable Internet connection is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity. It ensures that home office setups remain robust and uninterrupted. “Drop-in Mode” also makes it easy for individuals to get themselves set up rather than relying on an IT professional. This allows remote workers to focus on their tasks without worrying about network or Internet connectivity issues.

Small and Medium Businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses often operate with limited resources, making efficiency crucial for their success. “Drop-in Mode” comes to the rescue by offering a hassle-free solution. Whether it’s processing online transactions, managing customer interactions, or conducting virtual meetings, businesses can rely on this feature to maintain a consistent and reliable Internet connection. The simplicity of implementation also means that business owners can save valuable time and resources, enabling them to focus on growing their ventures.

Large Enterprises

In the complex landscape of large enterprises, where numerous departments and teams rely on interconnected networks, uninterrupted Internet connectivity is paramount. “Drop-in Mode” provides a streamlined approach to managing multiple Internet connections without the need for extensive reconfiguration. This is particularly valuable in mission-critical operations where any downtime could result in significant losses. Large enterprises can optimize their Internet usage, ensuring that each department’s specific requirements are met efficiently. This adaptability enables them to stay competitive, innovate, and respond swiftly to market demands without being hindered by connectivity issues.

Educational Institutions and Public Sector

Educational institutions and government agencies often have diverse Internet requirements due to the multitude of tasks they handle, from online learning platforms to administrative services. “Drop-in Mode” allows these entities to consolidate their Internet sources with nominal effort. By ensuring reliable connectivity, educational institutions can enhance their online learning experiences, while government agencies can streamline their services to the public. This approach not only improves efficiency but also contributes to providing better services to the community.

Is Drop-in Mode Right for You?

In essence, “Drop-in Mode” emerges as a universal solution, bridging the connectivity gap for individuals and organizations of all sizes. Its ability to adapt to various settings, from home offices to large enterprises, highlights its significance in the modern digital landscape. By offering a seamless and user-friendly approach to integrating multiple Internet connections, Digi International’s “Drop-in Mode” allows you to save time and focus on your business. 

To determine if this innovative feature is the right fit for your specific needs, consider your requirements for multiple Internet connections and the seamless integration of existing setups. Evaluating your Internet usage patterns, the complexity of your network, and your need for uninterrupted connectivity will guide your decision.

Contact a 5Gstore representative to learn more about Digi products and services, including “Drop-in Mode.” 

Digi Announces FIPS 140-2 Validation on All Digi Accelerated Linux Based Solutions

HOPKINS, Minn., October 10, 2023 — Digi International, (NASDAQ: DGII, www.digi.com), a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services, today announced a significant advancement in its product security with the integration of FIPS 140-2 federally-validated cryptography across its entire line of cellular routers and other devices based on the Digi Accelerated Linux Operating System (DAL OS). This enhancement positions Digi as an ideal solution provider for the government sector — including government agencies and contractors, and police forces, as well as financial institutions, medical facilities and other industries that handle sensitive information and require high levels of security. 

FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-2) is a U.S. federal and Canadian national standard established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for validated cryptography. Its implementation ensures that sensitive data remains secure and confidential.

Government agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as well as U.S. government contractors, police forces, and other federal entities, are required to adhere to FIPS 140-2 guidelines to protect their sensitive information and comply with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Additionally, financial institutions such as the IRS, and organizations required to be HIPAA-compliant are required to use FIPS-validated devices.

“We recognize the paramount importance of FIPS 140-2 compliance for federal agencies and law enforcement personnel, as well as financial and medical institutions, as it ensures validated data protection, encryption, and authentication,” said Gregory Hill, Director of Product Management, Digi International. “Therefore, we are thrilled to unveil the seamless integration of FIPS 140-2 across our entire cellular router line, reaffirming our dedication to empowering our valued customers with advanced levels of security in their IoT deployments.”

Key Advantages of Digi’s FIPS Implementation:

  • NIST Validation: Digi has completed formal validation testing and has been granted NIST certificate #4489. The implementation follows the guidelines of the NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP).
  • Latest Technology: Digi’s FIPS implementation is built on the latest OpenSSL 3.0 release, providing customers with the most up-to-date cryptographic algorithms, including ciphers, hash functions, and key lengths.
  • Enhanced Security: The integration of FIPS 140-2 ensures a high level of encryption and authentication, meeting the stringent security requirements of government agencies and healthcare organizations.
  • Product Depth: Digi’s entire line of Enterprise (EX), Industrial (IX), and Transportation (TX) routers, console servers, and USB-connected devices will be equipped with FIPS through a software update via Digi Remote Manager®, making it a leading candidate for both new deployments and upgrades of existing systems.
  • Ease of Use: Enabling FIPS is straightforward, requiring a simple configuration setting without any additional software keys to download, or additional variant product SKUs.

Beyond government, finance and healthcare, other sectors in which data security is a top priority, such as transportation, public safety, utilities, and lottery and gaming, can also benefit from Digi’s FIPS-compliant solutions.

As the FIPS standard continues to evolve, Digi intends to transition to FIPS 140-3 as part of a firmware release before the expected expiration of FIPS 140-2 in September 2026. By keeping its security standards current, Digi continues to be a trusted provider of secure IoT connectivity solutions.

Availability

With this release, Digi announces the availability of FIPS 140-2 validation through a software update to Digi’s entire line of DAL OS products, which include: 

For more information about Digi’s FIPS 140-2 compliant routers and enhanced security solutions, please visit https://www.digi.com/fips.