For atKrypto, a company innovating in blockchain technology, securing data integrity from the edge to the data center is a top priority. When invited to a leading telecommunications company's innovation labs, atKrypto needed to demonstrate an invisible, secure connection to their edge devices, specifically Raspberry Pis, without compromising security through open network ports. This challenge led them to NoPorts by Atsign.
The Challenge: Securing Edge Devices in the Wild
atKrypto’s proof of concept involved two Raspberry Pis: one as a sensor, the other as a data receiver. Deployed remotely over 5G and corporate internet, these devices required seamless management and secure data transfer. VP Jan Tuma stressed that traditional solutions introduced complexity and exposed vulnerabilities. Their goal: "Eliminating outside knowledge that our devices are there in the first place."
The Solution: NoPorts Zero-Trust Connectivity
NoPorts provided the definitive answer. Leveraging encrypted peer-to-peer connections, atKrypto established secure, invisible tunnels to their Raspberry Pis without opening inbound ports. This eliminated networking frustrations—no port forwarding, IP management, or firewall exceptions were needed. Deployment time plummeted from weeks to minutes, and needed little IT team involvement. NoPorts and Atsign's atPlatform helped atKrypto achieve “invisible blockchain at the edge.”
The setup involved:
- Two Raspberry Pis:
- One acting as a sensor (with temperature and pressure sensors).
- The other acting as a data receiver/data center with a display, presenting information sent from the first Raspberry Pi.
- Two open tunnels via NoPorts - One for SSH access, and another for atKrypto's proprietary blockchain port (54321).
- Diverse network environments - One Raspberry Pi connected via 5G, the other via corporate internet.
This configuration enabled atKrypto to manage devices and ensure immutable data flow. "The team at the labs tried to penetrate the devices, but they were not successful," says Tuma.
Key Benefits: Security, Simplicity, and Scalability
NoPorts delivered the following benefits for atKrypto:
- Unparalleled Security - Eliminating open ports reduces the attack surface, protecting critical data and device integrity, crucial for atKrypto's "invisible blockchain at the edge" vision.
- Easy Remote Management - NoPorts is "easy to manage... great for remote access, ensuring the device is completely safe from intrusion. Very secure, easy to set up."
- Flexible Device Handling - NoPorts seamlessly manages multiple devices. "You can connect many devices to a single client," providing a central command and control hub.
- Simplified Collaboration - Syncing NoPorts profiles streamlines team collaboration. "I shared my atSign with a co-worker, who could load all necessary profiles. No transfer was needed; just a couple of clicks, and it works."
A "Moment of Beauty" in Secure Connectivity
Jan vividly recalls a pivotal moment: "Disabling all inbound ports to the demo appliances was scary. But clicking the NoPorts connection button and seeing it turn green, confirming SSH access, was a moment of beauty. A box with no open ports, yet still accessible via SSH – it was great."
He wholeheartedly recommends NoPorts, and proudly shared this with the telecommunications company: "When we told our partners we were running maintenance on a Raspberry Pi, clicking a button in Prague to connect, they were amazed. It was really nice." He goes on to add,
"Absolutely, it's a great product." For enterprises, "remote management is more secure – a no-brainer." For individuals, from "home labs" to "remote support of your parents," NoPorts offers a simple, secure solution. "Anywhere you need remote connection without physical access – just use NoPorts."
About atKrypto
atKrypto leverages blockchain technology to provide immutable data solutions, ensuring data protection and integrity from edge devices to data centers. They realize the vision of an "invisible blockchain on the edge" by enabling secure, unexposed connectivity. Learn more at https://atkrypto.io/.
