When creating a secure control room platform, there are literally thousands of decisions to be made. These decisions range from architectural considerations and hardware components to security levels. Because we wanted Barco CTRL to uphold the highest levels of security, a lot of effort was put into the cybersecurity considerations. We will highlight some of these aspects in a series of articles. In this episode, we focus on mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS). When positioning this concept in our overarching 5 pillars of 'Secure by Design' framework, it responds to both the second and third pillar.
Mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) is an extension of the traditional Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, designed to provide a higher level of authentication and security by requiring both the client and server to authenticate each other, before any other communication takes place.
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From a control room perspective, mTLS provides a robust solution to safeguard sensitive end-user data over the network, reinforcing trust and compliance. Implementing mTLS means you demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of security.
The primary difference between mTLS and the traditional TLS lies in the mutual authentication aspect. Let's break down the mTLS process and highlight the distinctions from the TLS process:
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“The Client connects to the Server”
“The Server responds with its TLS certificate”
“The Client verifies the Server certificate is valid”
“Both Client and Server can now send data securely between each other”
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“The Client connects to the Server”
“The Server responds with its TLS certificate”
“The Client verifies the Server certificate is valid”
“Then the client sends the server its certificate”
“The Server verifies the client certificate and only allows access if verification was successful”
“Both Client and Server can now send data securely between each other and both have checked each other”
The crucial difference is the inclusion of client certificate authentication in mTLS. In TLS, only the server proves its identity to the client, while in mTLS, both the client and server authenticate each other.
mTLS provides an additional layer of security by preventing unauthorized parties from participating in the communication. This guards against Man-in-the-Middle attacks more effectively.
While mTLS offers heightened security, it is more complex to set up and manage due to the need for client certificates. Certificate management and a common concept of time becomes a critical aspect of mTLS implementation.
mTLS, or Mutual Transport Layer Security, is a cutting-edge security protocol that ensures a high level of trust and authentication in online communication. Imagine it as a digital handshake where not only does the server prove its identity to the client, but the client also authenticates itself to the server. This bidirectional authentication enhances security, crucial for critical national infrastructure.
Do you want to know more about Barco CTRL? Then don't hesitate to contact us!