By default, OptConnect devices run on private networks through our cellular carrier partners. This means OptConnect devices are on their own private IP addresses and inaccessible from the outside internet, providing a drastic security boost. For example, some connectivity equipment runs on public, unrestricted IP addresses, meaning that equipment is accessible from anywhere on the internet.
This allows foreign or malicious actors to reach devices and connected equipment and potentially cause all sorts of problems—anything from driving up data usage to exploiting possible vulnerabilities to steal data or interrupt operations. However, with private networks, OptConnect can explicitly limit who has access to these private network IPs; thus, only OptConnect customers are able to reach their devices and the equipment they’ve connected.
In addition to the benefit of devices being inaccessible by outside or unauthorized parties, with private networks OptConnect can monitor network traffic for any irregular, suspicious, or malicious activity and from there can notify customers of any detected issues and work together to reach resolutions.