
Introducing the SAFE Series Range Updates
April 25, 2025 | IPSec, Post Quantum Cryptography, Security
The world’s leading modular Hardware-Enforced Security for the future of enterprise encryption.
In a world where security and performance can no longer be trade-offs, Sitehop’s SAFE Series and SAFEcore deliver both—without compromise. Designed for organisations that demand ultra-low latency encryption at scale, this high-performance platform redefines secure aggregation for data centres, telecoms, and critical national infrastructure. Sitehop’s proprietary FPGA architecture enables real-time, crypto-agile security that keeps pace with today’s demands—and tomorrow’s threats. Discover more at www.sitehop.com
These new additions and upgrades to the SAFE Series range which, in addition to greater range flexibility, can enhance speed and security now and provide the foundations for being PQC ready in the future.
- New product: SAFEencrypt 10G
- New Product: SAFEpqc 100G
- New product: SAFEpqc 10G
- New features: Sitehop SAFEnms™
The SAFE Series can be ready for on-site installation in minutes:
So why does this matter? Because as global cyber threats grow in sophistication, enterprises, telcos, and governments need encryption that doesn’t just keep pace but stays ahead. Traditional software-based encryption introduces latency, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities—creating bottlenecks where security should be seamless.
The Sitehop SAFE Series changes everything. This modular, high-performance hardware encryption system delivers unmatched security for data-in-motion—ensuring ultra-low latency, crypto agility, and future-proofed PQC readiness.
Why SAFE Series? Addressing Key Industry Challenges.
Organizations today face mounting challenges:
- Performance Bottlenecks: Software-based encryption slows down networks, increasing latency in mission-critical operations.
- Post-Quantum Readiness: With quantum threats on the horizon, businesses need encryption that can seamlessly transition to PQC.
- Scalability & Availability: Mission-critical systems demand high-throughput encryption without downtime or performance trade-offs.
- Operational Complexity: Managing encryption at scale is challenging without centralized control and automation.
- Energy Consumption & Sustainability: Power-hungry encryption drives up costs and environmental impact.
The SAFE Series directly addresses these pain points—delivering an advanced encryption framework that protects today while preparing for tomorrow.
SAFE Series. Engineered for Now. Built for the Future.
The SAFE Series is designed to optimize security without compromising performance.
- Sub-Microsecond Latency– Secure real-time data with deterministic, ultra-fast encryption.
- End-to-End IPsec Security– Protects sensitive data across multi-domain networks without performance loss.
- Crypto Agility & PQC Readiness– Seamlessly upgrade cryptography as new standards emerge.
- Energy Efficient– Uses up to 10x less power than software-based encryption solutions.
- Scalability & High Availability– Modular system design allows hot-swappable upgrades for future expansion.
Simplified Encryption Management with Sitehop SAFEnms™
Managing encrypted networks at scale requires visibility, automation, and control. The Sitehop SAFEnms™ (Network Management System) delivers:
- Advanced Monitoring & Auditing: Real-time network insights for optimal performance.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Secure, multi-tenant user management for large deployments.
- Built-In PKI & Certificate Management: Simplifies cryptographic administration.
- REST API Integration: Seamless connection with existing management systems.
With the Sitehop SAFEnms™, organizations can streamline encryption management—ensuring effortless deployment, monitoring, and security policy enforcement across global networks.
A New Era of Secure Networking Starts Now
The SAFE Series isn’t just another encryption product—it’s a transformational shift in how networks are secured.
- Hardware-enforced, ultra-fast encryption for mission-critical networks.
- Seamless migration to PQC-ready security without costly upgrades.
- Scalable, high-availability encryption that integrates with modern network architectures.
Future-proof your encryption, maximize performance, and stay ahead of tomorrow’s cyber threats—today.
Talk to us about deploying the SAFE Series in your network today.
Sitehop. Engineered for speed. Built for the future.
Call us on: +44 (0)114 478 2366
Or email info@sitehop.com

The New IPsec Strategy: How Sitehop Solves the Challenges and Makes IPsec the Future of Secure Networking
April 7, 2025 | IPSec, Security
Introduction: The Shift Back to IPsec
For years, organizations moved away from IPsec due to concerns over performance, complexity, and scalability. In its place, MACsec became the preferred option for securing Ethernet links, offering a simpler approach to encryption. But as networks expand beyond traditional boundaries—spanning cloud environments, hybrid infrastructures, and multi-domain ecosystems—MACsec’s limitations are becoming increasingly clear.
Now, with Sitehop’s ultra-low-latency, hardware-accelerated IPsec, the equation has changed. The challenges that once made MACsec the default choice are no longer relevant. IPsec is back—stronger, faster, and more adaptable than ever before. This isn’t just about encryption; it’s about building a future-proof strategy for secure networking.
So, why is IPsec the right move now? Let’s break it down.
1. True End-to-End Security Across Domains (Multi-Hop Protection)
One of the biggest limitations of MACsec is that it only works within a single Layer 2 segment. Once data leaves that segment—crossing routers, service provider networks, or cloud environments—MACsec encryption is lost. This creates security blind spots that organizations cannot afford, especially in industries like defence, finance, and healthcare.
How Sitehop Changes the Game:
- End-to-End Encryption – IPsec secures traffic across multiple network domains, including routers, cloud providers, and hybrid environments.
- No Breaks in Security – Unlike MACsec, encryption remains intact across the entire data path, ensuring complete protection.
- Ideal for Sensitive Sectors – Financial institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations require uninterrupted encryption that MACsec simply cannot provide.
2. Performance Without the Trade-Offs
Historically, IPsec was seen as a performance bottleneck. Traditional software-based IPsec implementations were slow, CPU-intensive, and introduced unacceptable latency—pushing organizations toward MACsec for high-speed applications.
Why IPsec is Different Now:
- Hardware Acceleration – Sitehop offloads IPsec processing to FPGA-based hardware eliminating software bottlenecks.
- Sub-Microsecond Latency – Encryption speed is now comparable to, or even better than, MACsec.
- No More Performance Trade-Offs – Secure networking without sacrificing speed.
3. Crypto-Agility & Post-Quantum Readiness
With quantum computing on the horizon, organizations must prepare for a future where today’s encryption standards become obsolete. MACsec is tied to Ethernet chipset capabilities, making upgrades difficult. Without crypto agility, businesses will face costly, disruptive hardware replacements when new encryption standards are required.
How Sitehop Future-Proofs Security:
- Crypto-Agile Architecture – Easily transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) without hardware swaps.
- PQC-Ready IPsec – Supports upcoming NIST-approved encryption standards.
- Avoid Forklift Upgrades – A long-term security strategy that adapts as threats evolve.
4. Cloud and Hybrid Compatibility
Today’s enterprise networks span multiple environments—on-premises, cloud, SaaS, and hybrid. MACsec doesn’t work in cloud interconnects, forcing organizations to add additional encryption layers, leading to unnecessary complexity.
Why Sitehop’s IPsec is the Right Fit:
- Cloud-Ready Encryption – Seamlessly secures multi-cloud, hybrid, and SaaS environments.
- Layer 3 Compatibility – Works across IP networks without the restrictions of MACsec.
- Simplifies Security Across Providers – No need to stack encryption protocols—IPsec does it all.
5. Simplified Security Management
MACsec requires extensive manual configuration, particularly at scale. Managing thousands of point-to-point MACsec tunnels across a global enterprise network is complex, costly, and inefficient.
How Sitehop Simplifies Network Security:
- Centralized Policy Control – Reduces operational overhead and eliminates complexity.
- Automated Key Rotation – Enhances security without manual intervention.
- Zero-Trust Compatible – Easily integrates into modern security frameworks.
6. A Cost-Effective, Future-Ready Approach
While MACsec has traditionally been seen as the lower-cost option, that equation changes when factoring in scalability, operational complexity, and futureproofing. Organizations must evaluate the total cost of ownership—not just licensing fees.
Why Sitehop’s IPsec is the Smarter Investment:
- Cost-Competitive with MACsec – High-performance security without the licensing overhead.
- Lower Operational Costs – Reduced complexity leads to long-term savings.
- Avoids Hidden Costs – No need for additional encryption layers or hardware replacements.
Conclusion: The Strategic Shift Back to IPsec
Organizations that previously moved away from IPsec are now re-evaluating that decision. The network landscape has evolved, and with Sitehop solving the historical challenges of IPsec, it is now the superior choice for secure, scalable, and future-proof networking.
Key Takeaways:
- End-to-End Security – No more encryption gaps or security blind spots.
- Performance Without Compromise – Sub-microsecond latency makes IPsec faster than ever before.
- Crypto-Agility & PQC Readiness – Prepare for quantum threats without forklift upgrades.
- Cloud & Hybrid Compatibility – Encryption that works across all environments.
- Simplified Security Management – Reduce complexity and operational overhead.
- Cost-Effective & Scalable – A smarter investment in long-term security.
For enterprises, telcos, and government agencies looking beyond today’s encryption challenges, Sitehop’s IPsec is the logical choice. Security isn’t just about preventing threats—it’s about preparing for the future.
It’s time to rethink secure networking. The future of IPsec starts now.