Secure Mobile Communications Over IP Radio Networks

Internet Protocol (IP) radio is an excellent way of sending and receiving audio or data-based digital voice packets. Using radio through IP gateways will allow you to piggyback on various LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) networks. You can also use data and voice encryption at the gateway to achieve secure mobile communications. The benefits of using this technology radio over IP technology is to reduce unnecessary hardware costs, improved reliability, and better interoperability.

How Does Radio over IP Work?

Radio over IP (Internet Protocol) is the process of sending and receiving radio transmissions using portions of the Internet. It takes advantage of existing data networking protocols. Vocoders are used to convert analog voice signals into digital voice packets prior to transmission over IP networks. Routers encryption protocols and firewalls are used to secure a client’s network and the digital voice packets.

Radio over IP offers a low-cost way to upgrade older radio systems. Most organizations already have LAN or WAN suites built for networking, digital sharing, data storage and trasnmissions, which means there is no need to build a new communications suite before deploying a radio IP solution. Digitized voice packets sent over IP can be easily channeled to many of the older radio systems as well as newer land mobile radios. You can connect HF, UHF, and VHF radios with cell phones, VoIP phones, and SIP enabled devices, which will move your organization closer to unified communications.

If your operation requires secure mobile communications, then you may need a separate layer for encrypting digital radio packets and transmitting secure radio transmissions using IPsec protocols. Using radio encryption terminals will allow your team to carry out vital tasks while maintaining operational security.

Re-Making Secure Mobile Communications in Your Organization

If you need to upgrade and better encrypted VoIP switch, a more secure radio communications system in your organization, then you will need the best radio IP devices and equipment. This can only be found with a communication systems provider that understands radio signaling too. You need to install the proper radio over IP gateways to convert analog to digital packets but that may be the only piece of hardware you require. More secure mobile communications can be achieved through encryption protocols.

Then process of installing such equipment and training your people all starts with a phone call to the right provider. The company from which you purchase your secure communications equipment should also dedicate itself to giving detailed and effective instruction on how to use it. The equipment you have installed should also come with a warranty. You should be able to exchange faulty devices or have them repaired if that is possible—all at no extra cost.

The Importance of Communication Following a Natural Disaster

After a hurricane has ravaged an area, such as the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in the panhandle of Florida, it is critical for communication to be established with utility restoration teams as soon as possible. Many times companies will send linemen and technicians from all over the country to help restore electricity, water, and communication to a community. Restoring communication isn’t just important for the community, but it is critical to the success and safety of those working to clean up the damage.

Cell Phones Aren’t Practical

Even though many people feel their cell phone will keep them connected during an emergency, natural disasters absolutely have the potential for damaging the cell phone infrastructure. Emergency responders and cleanup crews are ineffective if they are unable to communicate with a dispatcher, understand a coordinate where assistance is needed, obtain driving or navigation instructions during hazardous conditions, and send a request for supplies. Natural disasters often cause unstable working conditions, such as downed power lines, fragile networks and crumbling structures can create safety hazards. The ability to instantly communicate with one another in these situations can save lives.

Connecting With the Community

Keeping response crews safe isn’t the only job of reliable communications after a natural disaster. If there was very little warning and time to prepare, it is important to connect with schools, churches, businesses, and other installations concerning evacuation, aid, or shelters. Without the dependable system to communicate that isn’t susceptible to drastic weather interference, it can be a dangerous and chaotic situation as the community tries to move to safety and implement preparedness plans.

High-tech Radios

Building out a network for reliable radio communications is a step in the right direction. A RoIP for utility and cleanup crews allows for two way radio communications between men in the field and a central dispatch can speak freely over frequencies not hindered by cellular and telco communication sensitivities. These IP networks for radio communications use low voltage LAN and WAN hardware and have flexibility. With the right devices, crews can establish secure mobile communications and connect in two-way conversations much like a telephone call. In a situation where distance, obstacles, and power failures are interfering with connectivity, RoIP gateways allow for push to talk devices to be connected through a single home base. With options for connectivity from an IP address, it can support the analog radio functions with more reliability, greater reach, and interoperability.

Stay in the Know

There are several ways a community can stay connected following a natural disaster, and a community’s use of all options can improve chances for a faster, safer recovery. Traditional television warnings and cell phone notifications are great ways to stay informed, but in the event the power is out, these may not be received in time. Social media networks can also offer assistance in locating people, understanding the conditions, and sending messages, but once again, this is only effective if there is power or a cell phone has internet service available. Using a radio over IP interface and RoIP for a fleet of utility vehicles will provide you with more reliable communications when you need it most.

Securing Voice Communications in a Hackable World

When it comes to communication, public safety providers such as EMS, firefighters, and police, walk a fine line. On the one hand, the people are entitled to transparency in public safety activities. On the other hand, the sensitive information conveyed could fall into the hands of potential criminals, and its misuse could pose a threat to citizens and public safety personnel alike.

Security and encryption of most public safety communications, sensitive data transitions and two way radio systems and 911 dispatch, are of a very high priority. However, one area of public safety communication that is lagging dangerously far behind in this regard is the two-way land mobile radio. Secure mobile communications are desperately needed to bring LMR systems up to the same standard as voice over IP communications.

LMR and Its Alternatives

Public safety providers use LMR because it is an efficient way to communicate with many different parties at once with the push of a button, without requiring users to look away from the current situation to glance down at the device in their hands, which are drawbacks of smartphone devices sometimes used in lieu of two-way radios. Many mobile data terminals and smartphones provide the encrypted data capabilities where most advanced LMR systems lack the red black separation used in encrypting communications. The solution is to design and implement a system that incorporates the convenience and reliability of push-to-talk LMR and the capacity for cybersecurity of an internet-enabled device to ensure secure mobile communications within the realm of public safety.

Radio Over Internet Protocol

A technology that shows promise as a potential part of the solution is Radio over IP. What is radio over IP you ask? This two way radio over internet protocol is an extension of telephonic Voice over IP technology that works by connecting a series of hardware devices via base stations connected to IP gateways to facilitate communication. Two-way radio over internet presents a possible replacement for traditional LMR due to the following advantages:

• Provides the same push-to-talk capability

• Utilizes existing data networks

• Interoperability with both new and legacy hardware

Software Security Architecture

Internet communications are not automatically encrypted, however. Security programming and encryption rules be written, then installed, according to architecture that facilitates encryption. The most basic type of security architecture is a system of red black control. This type of secure RoIP encryption consists of two separate partitions, a red partition containing information that is unencrypted but confidential and a black partition containing encrypted data, with an interface between the two to convert the data back and forth for secure mobile communications.

Steady Progress

The federal government has recognized the need for a nationwide, interoperable public safety communication network and has been in the process of implementing FirstNet, based on encrypted Long Term Evolution Technology, since at least 2016. It is not known when FirstNet will be fully deployed.