Atsign's NoPorts technology enables secure connectivity for OpenWrt devices

Enables secure, private device communication and remote management - even behind CGNAT and restrictive networks

Atsign has announced the availability of its NoPorts technology for devices running OpenWrt. This technology allows secure peer-to-peer communication and remote management, which is particularly useful in complex network environments.

NoPorts employs a method that eliminates the need for open ports and centralized servers, making devices less visible to potential attackers. This feature extends secure connectivity to a wider array of devices, such as routers and Internet of Things (IoT) devices utilizing OpenWrt.

Colin Constable, CTO at Atsign, stated, “This is a fundamental shift in how devices connect and communicate. By embedding NoPorts into their OpenWrt-based devices, manufacturers can offer their customers a truly secure and private way to connect and manage their networks and the devices behind them. This is especially crucial in scenarios where traditional network configurations fail. The best part is that NoPorts is far more simple and far more secure than other alternatives today, such as VPNs.”

Key benefits of NoPorts for device manufacturers include:

• Direct device communication without open ports or centralized servers, enabling secure data exchange and facilitating edge computing applications.
• Reliable remote management of OpenWrt devices behind restrictive networks like CGNAT, reducing the need for complex Virtual Private Network (VPN) configurations.
• An embedded security layer to protect customer data from unauthorized access, enhancing Privacy by Design (PbD).
• Simplicity in IoT deployments, allowing secure management regardless of location or network complexity.
• Reduction of traditional attack vectors by keeping devices invisible to external threats.

Constable added, “The significance for device manufacturers is clear. They can now offer their customers the ability to securely and privately access their routers and devices behind them, even when those devices are on networks that are traditionally difficult to reach.”

NoPorts utilizes Atsign’s atPlatform, promoting a peer-to-peer architecture that does not depend on centralized servers or open ports. This method ensures devices can communicate securely, even within firewall-protected environments. The technology maintains encryption and privacy without the complexity of overlay networks.

This advancement reinforces Atsign's focus on providing security solutions that enable manufacturers and customers to maintain control over their data without compromising ease of use.