Communication Devices, Inc.
Secure Management for Mission-Critical Networks

Secure access to critical devices is not a luxury when primary networks fail. It is essential. That is the promise behind Communication Devices, Inc. (CDI), which built its reputation on out-of-band management (OOBM) long before cyber risk became a boardroom issue.

CDI’s roots trace back to the banking sector, where it developed encryptors to protect electronic fund transfers worth hundreds of millions of dollars. That early immersion in high-stakes security naturally evolved into a broader role: shaping the standards that govern how information is protected across the U.S. economy.

As CDI’s influence in security grew, its leadership played a key role in shaping industry standards. President and CEO Tadhg Kelly contributed to the first Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 140-1) as a member of the X9F3 committee under the American Bankers Association and NIST. CDI advanced alongside these standards, moving from FIPS 140-2 and recently to becoming the only OOBM vendor validated under FIPS 140-3, the benchmark for federal high-security networks.

With CDI’s strong focus on security standards, compliance is integral to everything the company does. For federal agencies, under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), medium- and high-security networks require FIPS 140-3 validated products. CDI’s validation ensures its technology meets these requirements, enabling deployment across all civilian agencies. This commitment to compliance extends to industries like financial services, insurance and utilities, where regulators demand the highest assurance.

“So, what really sets us apart is our very high level of security. We have a deep heritage in that, we’ve been involved in the FIPS validation process for over 20 years, and we were actually involved in its inception,” says Kelly.

Delivering Turnkey Solutions

The out-of-band management market has shifted dramatically. As dial-up circuits disappeared, many vendors pushed customers onto the public internet, exposing critical infrastructure to new risks. CDI chose a different path. Acting as a mobile virtual network operator for major carriers, the company provisions private APNs. This keeps management traffic off the internet and ensures connections remain secure.

That philosophy carries into delivery. CDI provides customers with pre-configured devices, private IP services, central management software and pre-sales engineering support. The company eliminates the need to juggle multiple providers by bundling everything into one package. During outages, CDI can verify circuits, confirm device status, and initiate recovery directly, speeding resolution and improving reliability.

So, what really sets us apart is our very high level of security. We have a deep heritage in that, we’ve been involved in the FIPS validation process for over 20 years, and we were actually involved in its inception.

This impact is clearly demonstrated in a federal agency case study. Before CDI, outages at the agency’s remote sites required flights, long drives or calls to non-technical staff with limited information, delaying resolution and impacting operations. With CDI, engineers staged, shipped and securely configured routers and firewalls remotely. Central management provided consistent visibility, resolving outages quickly and eliminating costly truck rolls.

The model is flexible enough to fit different needs. Federal agencies often host CDI’s management software on-premises for security reasons. Commercial enterprises may opt for cloud hosting or CDI’s fully managed turnkey service. In those cases, CDI handles site onboarding, importing devices, setting them up securely, and pushing templates so that customers can focus on operations rather than configuration.

CDI’s solutions are not only Made in the USA but also fully TAA compliant, meeting critical requirements for procurement under GSA contracts and other Federal Government acquisition programs. This distinction underscores CDI’s commitment to supporting government, defense, and enterprise customers with technology that aligns with strict supply chain integrity and compliance standards.

Preparing for Tomorrow

Continuous investment keeps CDI’s out-of-band management solutions aligned with evolving requirements. Devices that once supported four, nine, or twenty ports at the network edge now include a 48-port option designed for data centers. Each expansion reflects practical operational needs, not simply a list of “nice-to-have” features.

Also, to ensure consistent and secure connectivity, the company has enhanced its cellular radios to support AT&T FirstNet, Verizon Frontline, and T-Mobile’s equivalent services. These first responder networks provide priority access during critical situations, ensuring secure connectivity even when commercial bandwidth is congested. For homeland security agencies and other federal organizations, this ensures uninterrupted availability when it matters most.

This focus on connectivity and resilience extends to deployment models. Federal agencies often host CDI’s management platforms on-premises for maximum control, while commercial clients prefer cloud or fully managed services. Both approaches comply with the latest authentication protocols and encryption standards. The guiding principle is clear: security is the foundation, not an add-on, in everything CDI delivers.