The Vulnerability of Fiber-Optics Communication Systems: The Role of Optical Tapping

摘要

Optical tapping devices placed in public and private optical networks today allow unfettered access to all communications and information transiting any fiber segment. Available legally and inexpensively from numerous manufacturers worldwide, optical taps are standard network maintenance equipment that are in use daily. When used nefariously, optical taps provide an excellent method of intercepting voice and data communications with virtually no chance of being detected. Intruders are therefore rewarded with a bounty or relevant information while subject to a very low risk of being caught. Optical network equipment manufacturers do not currently incorporate adequate protection and detection technologies in their platforms to monitor such network breaches in real-time. Network operators thus cannot safeguard the optical signals on their networks and therefore cannot prevent the extraction of sensitive data and communications. Government networks, while assuredly more secure, are also vulnerable to certain type of advanced passive and active tapping methods. This background paper serves to provide an overview of the vulnerabilities of today’s modern optical networks; describe methods of addressing such issues; and introduce optical security, monitoring, intrusion detection and breach localization solutions. Keywords: Fiber optics, optical tapping, splitters, couplers, optical time domain reflector (OTDR), Oyster optics.