With the increasing dangers lurking in digital spaces, the need for cyber security is now common knowledge for almost all business owners.
When it comes to protecting their network, most people start with the basic firewall. Although additional layers are required, there is something even more fundamental that should not be overlooked: the physical connection itself. It's like making sure you have high-quality, secure doors and windows before you put alarms on them.
So which type of internet connection is the most secure?
To answer that question, I consulted Robert Lozanski, a member of AT&T's Solution Consultant team whose primary role is designing comprehensive enterprise network solutions. In the following sections, we review the different types of connections and evaluate the quality - as well as the level of security - of each one.
Get to know the candidates
First, it is important to understand the different types of Internet connections. The most common are copper, fiber optic and wireless networks.
copper: Copper cables are the original Internet connections. They transmit data in the form of electrical signals. Although this type of connection has been in use for years, copper is difficult to maintain, offers limited speed options and degrades over time. As a result, manyProviders are moving away from it.
cellular: A cellular network provides access to the Internet by transmitting data wirelessly. The network is connected to cell towers, not underground cables. Although mobile internet has made great technological advances with the arrival of 5G, it still has its limitations. Mobile networks currently have lower speed levels than many wired options –but that may changethe future.
Phases: Fiber optic internet uses a network of bundled strands of glass called fiber optic cables to deliver internet services through pulses of light. Fiberglass it islatest and most reliabletype of internet connections. They also offer the highest speed options.
Assess the security of the connections
A common way to evaluate a network is to measure it against the CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Some of the different types of Internet transport are more secure than others because of the way they meet the three CIA requirements. In other words, a secure network has a high level of confidentiality, integrity and availability.
From 2023, 5G wireless connections will have security layer capabilities and speeds that will make them strong competitors in the network market. However, due to the reliability and bandwidth availability of wired connections, wired connections are still the best choice for businesses that prioritize their Internet connections.
According to Lozanski, "While a cellular network solution offers practical advantages due to its mobility and flexibility, wired connections still provide an extra layer of security as they offer faster speeds and performance. A cellular connection can act like a broadband connection, with fluctuations throughout the day , but it won't offer the same speeds."
There is not much competition between the two cable connections mentioned, copper and fiber optics. With speeds of up to 1 Tbps, fiber moves at the speed of light, providing availability and reliability that copper wire cannot match.
However, the search for the most secure connection does not end here. Although fiber optic links are made of glass and travel at the speed of light, the way in which the link is delivered can vary and thus provide different levels of security. The easiest way to break down this difference is to distinguish between a shared connection and a dedicated connection.
In a shared connection, multiple devices share the same bandwidth with limited available speeds. This is the type of connection most people imagine when they think of fiber optics, and it's becoming an increasingly affordable and popular option. Unfortunately, the availability of shared fiber is limited as it is only available in eligible areas where providers build their infrastructure. Although fiber optic infrastructure has grown rapidly, there are still places where shared fiber optic facilities do not exist at all. Check if you qualify for AT&T Shared FiberHer.
With a dedicated connection, also known as a point-to-point connection, the provider extends a single fiber optic line to a single customer. Unlike shared connections, where bandwidth is divided between neighboring devices, a dedicated connection is reserved for a single device. Using the CIA metric for security, a dedicated fiber optic circuit performs best. Below is the breakdown:
What makes a dedicated fiber optic line secure?
1. Confidentiality
On a secure network, the right people have access to the information they need, while others are kept out. A highlight of a dedicated connection is that it runs on its own network and is aggregated directly into a wiring center. This makes hacking much more difficult, as the connection is not shared between multiple users.
Lozanski gave an example: "A dedicated fiber line is extremely private for companies that host their infrastructure on-site, such as web hosting servers and email servers. Dedicated Internet is an ideal option because it is physically more secure."
However, it is important to note that while a dedicated connection may provide some physical layer protection, the connection still goes to the public Internet and additional layers of cyber security are essential to ensure a truly private connection. In the event of an attack, a shared connection with the right security layers is likely to perform better than an unprotected dedicated fiber line. The physical connection is just the foundation, and using a dedicated connection alone does not ensure complete privacy.
2. Privacy
The integrity of a network is measured by the accuracy, completeness and consistency of the data transmitted in it. Through his numerous consultations, Lozanski sees a trend that emphasizes the importance of connecting with high integrity. He said: "Today many companies use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). This is data that should not be a problem."
Instead of using traditional copper landlines to host their calls, businesses use VoIP to transmit voice data over the Internet. Although it is cheaper and offers several advantagesAdvantageThis solution ensures a higher reliability of the Internet connection. If the Internet is not stable, data may be disrupted and voice quality may deteriorate.
“With AT&T Dedicated Internet, you are able to prioritize business-critical data and get guaranteed call quality with VoIP. Dedicated Internet can add a class of service component that you can't get with any other connection type,” Lozanksi continued.
3. Availability
If a network is not accessible to its users, it is simply not secure. Network owners must be able to seamlessly access their resources. Lozanski said: "The piece of the puzzle that characterizes a dedicated fiber connection is that it is the only connection supported by service level agreements that cover availability, latency, jitter and packet loss. Although SLAs can vary from operator to operator, At AT&T, we guarantee 100% uptime service level agreements for our dedicated fiber lines. We make sure your Internet connection is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
With a shared connection, multiple users use the same bandwidth. Just as traffic on a highway becomes congested when many cars are traveling on it at the same time, a shared connection can slow down rush hour speeds. Regardless of provider, shared connections run at "best effort" speeds without the same service level agreements. This can result in reduced time to repair and lost revenue and safety for many businesses.
Who are dedicated fiber optic lines suitable for?
Dedicated fiber was previously primarily used by enterprise customers because these types of businesses had extensive network requirements and incurred higher monthly costs. But as more businesses come online and expand their digital presence, dedicated fiber is an increasingly attractive option for many.
Lozanski added: "In general, any organization that needs to prioritize business-critical data may be interested in a dedicated circuit. Although the monthly costs may be higher, it is important to also analyze the consequences and financial losses that the business may suffer from using one's internet "is under". Often the additional cost of dedicated fiber can be offset by aggregating multiple services. balanced.
Ultimately, whichever connection you choose, remember that the physical connection is only the first layer. While dedicated circuits provide a solid foundation, it's equally important to consider what's on top of the network to protect it. Cyber threats are on the rise, and to be prepared, the first step is to be informed.
ClickHerLearn more about AT&T Dedicated Fiber and request a free consultation to find out if it's a good fit for your business this year.