Free-Space Optics: A Viable, Secure Last-Mile Solution?

Free-Space Optics (FSO) is a fibreless, laser-driven technology that supports high bandwidth, with easy to install connections for the last-mile and campus environments. It has been in use by the United States military for a number of years primarily in naval ship-to-ship communications. Free-Space Optics systems are starting to gain acceptance in the private marketplace as a solution to replace expensive fiber optic based solutions. What is Free-Space Optics? How does it work? Is it secure? This paper will try to answer those questions and educate the security community about the technology and security ramifications as the demand for high-speed links increases. First let's take a look at the common methods currently used for making the last-mile connection and some of the issues associated with each method.