How Mach Alert Secures Critical Emergency Communications with Access Server

Mach Alert delivers life-saving fire and medical alerting (FSA) solutions that empower dispatchers to get first responders on the road faster. With installations in over 450 fire stations across the globe, their mission-critical technology demands unwavering reliability and robust security.

The challenge: protecting life-and-death data with zero downtime

As Mach Alert expanded internationally, the company faced a crucial internal challenge — safeguarding its own network and sensitive data without sacrificing uptime. Given that their systems support urgent, life-and-death emergency responses, any network breach or unexpected downtime could have catastrophic consequences.

Mach Alert needed a VPN solution that was not only highly secure but also user-friendly and dependable. Their requirements included seamless integration of two-factor authentication (2FA) to bolster endpoint security, ensuring that only authorized devices and personnel could access their corporate network.

The solution: Access Server delivers security and reliability

Access Server was the ideal fit, offering built-in support for flexible two-factor authentication options such as Google Authenticator and Amazon Web Services Multi-Factor Authentication (AWS MFA). This added layer of protection prevents unauthorized devices from connecting, even if login credentials are compromised.

“The thing I like best about Access Server is its ability to have two servers that are redundant to one another, and it’s easy for me to administer my users and Access Server,” said Joseph Ancion, System Analyst at Mach Alert Inc. “Access Server has allowed us to be able to use different profiles with each user so that each user can decide how they want to use their connection to our facility.”

The solution’s versatility allowed Mach Alert to assign unique connection profiles to individual users, each linked to a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address. This capability enables precise device identification and control over network access within their facilities.

“Before Access Server, our company was using Sonic by Dell, and we found that Access Server was easier to use and probably more effective for what we do,” Joseph added.

Powered by the OpenVPN protocol — one of the most secure VPN protocols available — Access Server benefits from open-source transparency and continuous scrutiny by cybersecurity experts. This means any new vulnerabilities are swiftly identified and patched, ensuring Mach Alert’s network remains safeguarded against emerging threats.

The result: confidence in uninterrupted, secure emergency response

By choosing Access Server, Mach Alert has significantly enhanced the security and reliability of its network infrastructure. The robust security features and ease of administration minimize the risk of downtime, providing Mach Alert with confidence that their critical communications systems remain operational and protected at all times. This peace of mind allows them to keep their focus on supporting emergency dispatchers and first responders in fire and medical alerting worldwide.

🎥 See Mach Alert tell their story in this video: