Blog

Built in the USA

CDI: FIPS OOB Management for Federal Networks

articles

Adam Cady

CDI: FIPS OOB Management for Federal Networks

Recent headlines have drawn attention to a chilling fact: determined, patient adversaries are actively working to undermine the digital foundations of U.S. government, defense, and critical infrastructure. Chinese state-sponsored hackers, including infamous groups like APT41 and Volt Typhoon, have set their sights on the “core” of American network equipment. Their operations are not reckless raids, but methodical campaigns focused on attacking the very way administrators manage critical devices.

Despite expansive investments in perimeter defense, many organizations overlook an often-unguarded pathway into their infrastructure: Out-of-Band Management (OOBM). That oversight is proving to be costly.

The CISA Warning: Targeted Attacks on Core Network Equipment

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has become increasingly vocal in its alerts about Chinese espionage activities. According to repeated CISA advisories, APT41, Volt Typhoon, and their affiliates don’t prioritize disruption for short-term chaos. Their goal is persistent, covert presence, allowing the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to gather intelligence and establish long-term control over U.S. networks.

These hackers aren’t just picking random targets. They’re searching for those subtle, often forgotten weaknesses — including the management planes of backbone routers, switches, and firewalls. The methods are precise, and detection is intentionally difficult. Traditional intrusion detection systems often never notice such quiet entries.

Why Are OOBM Channels So Attractive to Attackers?

Most organizations rely on OOBM channels for device troubleshooting or disaster recovery. Here are the most common ways OOBM is used:

Serial console connections for direct access to routers, switches, and firewalls
Remote reboot capabilities, independent of standard network traffic
Diagnostic and configuration access in case the main network fails

These management channels are invaluable for operations and emergency response. But when security controls are missing or weak, they turn into open invitations for espionage.

Conventional wisdom dictates rigorous segmentation, encrypted communication, and strict authentication. Yet, out-of-band consoles often fall outside these policies, providing attackers with exactly the low-friction access they crave. Many solutions on the market, even those touting “FIPS modules,” fall short of standards required by federal information security mandates.

FIPS 140-3: The Gold Standard for Cryptographic Security

Federal agencies and critical infrastructure operators are required to meet FISMA High or Moderate levels of security, demanding cryptographic modules validated against the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3. This isn’t just another bureaucratic checkbox — it reflects the highest expectations for data protection.

What Does FIPS 140-3 Validation Mean?

FIPS 140-3 builds on its predecessor, FIPS 140-2, by updating requirements for cryptographic modules, strengthening physical and logical security, and mandating more rigorous and current validation processes.

Key aspects include:

Rigorous third-party laboratory testing
Certification by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Extensive documentation and audit records

A product “using FIPS-certified modules” isn't necessarily secure at the system level. True FIPS 140-3 validation means the whole solution — hardware, firmware, and software — is compliant.

Why Module-Level Compliance Isn’t Enough

Vendors sometimes advertise FIPS “inside” their devices, misunderstanding or overstating compliance. This misunderstanding leads to significant risk:

Module-Only Compliance	Full Platform FIPS 140-3 Validation
Partial cryptography covers only some traffic	All management plane elements protected
May skip audit, session logging, or authentication	Audit, accountability, and user validation enforced
Often integrates foreign or “black box” components	Supply chain and assembly validated in the U.S.

Gaps between the module level and platform-wide implementation create opportunities for attackers to slip through.

CDI: The Only Fully Validated Out-of-Band Solution

When CISA points to vulnerabilities in core equipment, it’s not hypothetical. This is an active battleground. Defense organizations and federal agencies need a provider whose entire solution clears the FIPS 140-3 bar — not just individual components.

Communication Devices Inc. (CDI) uniquely answers that need. Let’s break down why CDI stands alone in this high-stakes environment.

U.S.-Built, FIPS 140-3 Validated, and Trusted

CDI’s OOBM platform isn’t just compliant at the cryptographic module level. Its end-to-end system — including hardware, software, access controls, and remote connectivity — is certified under FIPS 140-3 (Certificate #4795). That’s the difference between “checking a box” and real security.

Federal-Grade Features From the Ground Up

Here’s what CDI delivers:

Comprehensive FIPS 140-3 validated encryption Every channel, every session, every access is wrapped in NIST-approved cryptography.
Integrated LTE/Private APN capability Secure, isolated access routes independent of vulnerable enterprise networks.
CAC/Smart Card authentication Full support for federal identity assurance, tamper resistance, and non-repudiation.
TAA (Trade Agreements Act) validated U.S. hardware Every CDI device is built in the United States, aligning with the highest supply chain trust standards.
Complete session logging and recording Compliance isn’t just about stopping adversaries. It’s about accountability. CDI maintains detailed records, supporting legal and regulatory frameworks.

A closer look reveals why federal agencies continue to rely on CDI year after year:

CDI Feature	Competitor Platforms
End-to-end FIPS 140-3 validation	“FIPS module” claims, partial at best
U.S. built and TAA validated	Global supply chain, unverifiable
Dedicated LTE/Private APN	Network-dependent, more exposure
Integrated smart card (CAC/PIV)	Weak password or local user controls
Full event/session auditing	Partial or off-device logging

Agencies that must adhere to FISMA High or Moderate — or anticipate aggressive nation-state threats — cannot afford to settle for anything less.

Espionage Reality: APT41, Volt Typhoon, and the Risks of Overlooked OOBM

The latest global espionage campaigns have exposed uncomfortable truths. Chinese espionage groups such as APT41 have already gained persistent access inside many U.S. core network environments. Their preferred pathways are often not the obvious ones. Instead, they seek low-profile, high-impact entry points, waiting for moments when monitoring is weakest and trust is highest.

Why Serial Console Access Spells Opportunity for Hackers

Consider the operational realities:

Most routers, switches, and firewalls allow OOBM, even when the main network is compromised.
Legacy serial access methods are frequently enabled by default.
Authentication controls lag behind modern password and identity standards.

When these channels lack proper encryption and auditing, adversaries can:

Reconfigure network infrastructure
Intercept sensitive communications
Override perimeter security from inside

Traditional monitoring rarely inspects these sessions, especially if the devices connect outside the main data plane. This is why a system validated for FIPS 140-3 — at the complete solution level — is non-negotiable.

Compliance is Non-Negotiable, but So is Trust

Most agencies and contractors are subject to FISMA regulations, dictating standards based on the risk and sensitivity of data handled. FISMA High and Moderate baselines demand:

Documented internal controls
Cryptography validated for federal use (FIPS 140-3)
Clearly auditable access records
Strong identity verification

The temptation to cut corners with “good enough” is strong, but misleading. Only FIPS 140-3 validated equipment, built and supported in the United States, delivers the legal, operational, and security confidence that federal missions require.

Practical Steps for Agencies and Operators

CISA’s advisories aren’t just technical bulletins — they are calls to action. Agencies and organizations responsible for national security, critical infrastructure, or sensitive intellectual property must:

Review all current out-of-band management channels
Ensure that serial console, diagnostic, and configuration access meet current encryption and authentication standards
Replace any non-validated or partially-compliant equipment

The checklist below can help assess your current posture:

OOBM Security Audit Checklist

Are all out-of-band sessions covered by FIPS 140-3 validated encryption?
Is every remote access attempt authenticated using CAC or equivalent credentials?
Is hardware and firmware origin transparent and U.S.-built?
Do session logs and audit trails provide accountability for every access point?
Are remote connectivity methods (e.g., LTE, Private APN) protected from exposure to foreign or compromised networks?

Answering “no” to any of these means an adversary could already be lurking unseen.

Why the Decision Is Urgent

The stakes could not be higher. With global tensions simmering, Chinese state-sponsored hackers have established a clear intent and capability: to compromise U.S. core networks for intelligence, influence, and indirect control. APT41 and Volt Typhoon are named, but they are not alone.

By locking down OOBM with FIPS 140-3 validated solutions, agencies can close a critical avenue of attack. CDI’s platform — trusted by DoD, USAF, and federal agencies for over twenty years — stands uniquely qualified to meet and surpass these expectations.

Security is defined by the weakest link. In today’s cyber environment, sensitive out-of-band management channels are too often it. CDI’s full-platform, validated solution transforms that weakest link into a foundation of strength, accountability, and resilience.

Not every defense is equal, and in the world of federal-grade security, there is no substitute for validation, transparency, and trust.

Related Tags

OOBM, FIPS-140-3cryptographic-validationThreat actors Volt-TyphoonAPT41Compliance frameworksTAANISTDoDgovernment-networksCAC-authenticationsession-logging fips-140-3

Share this article