The World’s First Successful 400Gbps Network Connection Between Multiple Organizations and Penetration Testing on Video over IP

Overview

From February 2 to 11, 2022, the Industrial Cyber Security Center of Excellence (ICSCoE) in collaboration with JGN operated by NICT(*1), SINET6(*2) operated by National Institute of Informatics (NII) and Cyber Kansai Project (CKP) (*3), successfully connected 400Gbps network between multiple sites (Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka) for the first time in the world and conducted penetration testing on Video over IP network infrastructure.

1. (*1)
   National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) ICT Testbed Research and Development Promotion Center
2. (*2)
   National Institute of Informatics SINET6
3. (*3)
   Cyber Kansai Project

Successful Penetration Testing on 400Gbps Network Infrastructure

In this experiment, to verify possible security vulnerabilities on new technologies, video controllers and network equipment used in the broadcasting industries, the ICSCoE collaboration team formed penetration test teams and conducted various penetration testing. One of the tests they conducted was on the backbone network for Video over IP at the rate of 400Gbps and identified new vulnerabilities that were valuable findings for the contributors.
The ICSCoE collaboration team participated in this experiment voluntarily with their own objectives and challenges as it provides valuable experience for them to deepen their knowledge and gain contacts with experts. Since this is the fourth consecutive year of participation, their efforts have resulted in over 150 scenarios executed in the last four years.

One of the important challenges of this experiment was the development of a new method to generate network traffic for 400Gbps next generation high-speed backbone network. The significance of this developed is using inexpensive high-performance consumer PC to generate traffic for 400Gbps network infrastructure. The ability to generate network traffic for 400Gbps bandwidth with inexpensive equipment, without need of expensive instruments or complex equipment is a groundbreaking development. With this new method, performing load testing on backbone networks in various locations and environment become an easy task. Performing of penetration testing also helped to identify equipment malfunctions, protocol problems, and network operational issues.

The results and findings of the penetration and load tests will be presented to the contributors to be analyzed for solving problems and enhancing tolerance of their products. The ICSCoE is proudly provides technologies and facilities necessary to conduct the experiment which leads to the global advancement of the next generation backbone network technology.

As the cybersecurity environment changes rapidly, the risks of cyber threats increasing tremendously. To ensure safety and security of our society and protect against threats, the ICSCoE built a state-of-the-art cybersecurity experimental facility in Japan which incorporates the latest products and technologies in cooperation with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and contributors. The ICSCoE is committed to continue challenge vitalizing the economy through cybersecurity activities.