Story ID: 
SmartSky Skytelligence Adds Airborne Intranet Routing
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: SmartSky's private intranet enables secure airborne connectivity and eliminates the need for a VPN.
Word Count: 235
SmartSky Networks has added “private intranet” routing on its Skytelligence platform, using an aircraft interface device (AID) and a private connection to each aircraft on SmartSky’s air-to-ground network.
The intranet connection for each aircraft is separate so there is “no bandwidth sharing like what is found on other airborne networks,” according to SmartSky. The intranet data then routes securely through SmartSky’s ground network, and customers can receive the data on their corporate enterprise network with no need for routing on the internet.
Using SmartSky’s secure network, the AID, and direct routing to the customer’s network eliminates the need to use a virtual private network, the company said. This also secures data transfer of cabin data but also aircraft data transferred in flight.
“In a world where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and complex, SmartSky’s private intranet helps aircraft operators to have confidence that their inflight communications and data are secured, simplifying compliance with aircraft network security programs,” said Sean Reilly, v-p for digital solutions and air transport. “Skytelligence helps us move the right data to the right place at the right time with a secure connection, whether that’s data from the aircraft with an AID, data from FAA SWIM, or data from any of our partners.”