An Interview with the company Fibernet on their fiber optics and cybersecurity products that have advanced security and performance to greater levels.
This is the fourth is a series on innovative companies offering technologies that can have a disruptive impact on global markets. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to interview Avner Aslam and his team at Fibernet, a company that built an unprecedented reputation for both fiber optic innovation and security for data centers. In the past few decades, they have developed and built fiber-secured and cyber-secured some of Israel’s most sensitive installations, and were selected for the CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research. The exciting news is that Fibernet will be rolling out their advanced data center and cyber-security products very soon to the American market.
Fibernet: a quick overview of company
Fibernet is an Israeli technologic company founded in 1993 by Avner Aslan and his partner Shon Shmuel. The company has been the main protagonist in the Israel fiber optics revolution covering telecom, hi-tech, medical, corporate, government, military, and other vertical markets. Fibernet has also entered the market of cybersecurity, becoming a main supplier to the Israeli defense forces and intelligence.
Question 1. Fibernet has been entrusted to supply fiber and high-performance products for some of the most security sensitive installations in the world. What makes Fibernet a unique company to provide that capability?
Answer: Fibernet’s capabilities cover two main fields that are raising trends worldwide, namely fiber optics connectivity and cybersecurity. Most companies are experienced in one of these fields only, making Fibernet’s combination of know-how and experience unique. In addition of supplying off the shelf products, the company’s modular process of development allows it to quickly develop tailor made solutions for its clients, and that also makes Fibernet unique. Combining the multi-faceted aspect of Fibernet’s services with its innovative, tailored supplies, the company’s solutions are shaping the present and future face of integrated technologies.
Some of Fibernet Data Center offering capabilities include:
- Faster transfer of more data
- Increased data fidelity
- Reduction of physical infrastructure – less cables, connectors and loss points means it is possible to:
- compact the machinery in a smaller space
- reduce energy consumption
- increase machinery lifespan – environment immunity (oils, lubricants, electromagnetic interference etc.)
- simplify maintenance, reducing needs and costs
- Future ready infrastructure – Fibernet’s modular plug and play infrastructure supports current and future data transfer needs, enables easy maintenance and upgrades
- Built-in Physical and Cybersecurity
- Additional Solutions provided by Fibernet include deployable reels, patch cords, tactical cables, tactical systems, ruggedized RFI/EMI shielding, ruggedized enclosures, rotary joints and custom-designed assemblies. Fibernet also provides solutions for monitoring environments, testing, inspection and maintenance.
Question 2. Can you tell us more about your work at CERN, one of the most advanced physics research projects ever undertaken in history?
Answer: Sure, CERN is an example of a client that was looking for a unique tailor-made solution. As you can understand, CERN requirements are not for mass production. They needed a company that could design and build together with them an extremely specific product. Fibernet was that exact company.
We came in touch with CERN in 2003 through the Israeli Weizmann Institute of Science when their hadron collider was no more than a huge tunnel in construction. CERN engineers were looking for specific connectivity solutions. They had very unusual requirements and needed a company that could tailor made fibers of specific diameters using special anti-radiation materials. We designed and produced special fibers following all their unique requirements and Fibernet became an approved supplier for all fiber optics connectivity from then on. Up to today we have taken part in four of the eight experiments of the collider, CMS, ATLAS, LHCb and ALICE and received 3 awards from CERN for our participation in those projects. Fibernet solutions connect the detectors of the collider to the different control centers. CERN operators would not have been able to control and get data from the collider without our fibers.
The collaboration with CERN is especially important for Fibernet and makes us immensely proud. Fibernet was extremely instrumental in deriving a completely new, specific solution, executing this task masterfully and with great detail.
Question 3. With security in mind, Fibernet does more than data centers, can you elaborate on your special cybersecurity AV product offerings for corporate conference centers and SOCs?
Answer: After 2.5 decades of successfully producing and supplying fiber optic solutions, we expanded our operations adding a division in the company that develops cyber secure AV products and solutions.
Hackers all over the world are constantly looking for new ways to penetrate networks, always looking for less secure elements to become their new open door. One of these insecure elements that has been targeted by cyber attackers is the supply chain. Imagine a “inoffensive” device like a monitor, a mouse, or a keyboard you buy to use in your business. Are you sure that these devices are clean of any malware or spyware? Do you know how many hands that device passed from the factory until you got it? And how easy it is to interfere and add malware that can compromise your data? Do you understand how damaging it will be for your brand if your data gets stolen, changed, or erased?
These questions often seem ridiculous to consumers of these products as the risk of hacking seems so far away; however, now, the threat hits closer to home than ever before.
Fibernet’s line of cyber security products came to protect networks from those types of attacks, whether a USB device, a video or audio signal, our products are going to keep away any potential threat from penetrating your system.
Fibernet has developed physical cybersecurity solutions for multiple scenarios to facilitate connectivity while defending your network:
Question 4. I understand Fibernet is going more global with partnering, alliances, and sales, especially to the United States. Is there a Point of Contact for companies to reach out to Fibernet for more information?
Answer: Indeed, after three decades of successful work mostly in the local Israeli market, Fibernet is expanding worldwide. We are increasing our activities in international markets and seek business collaborations, distributors, int, integrators, and end users. We are leveraging the innovation and detail of our technology to expand into the global markets (including the U.S) and provide unparalleled services and solutions.
We can be contact by searching for “Fibernet Ltd.” Going to our website www.fibernet-tech.com or writing to us to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from prospective partners and integrators. Thank you.
