US-based Secure Aviation Communication (SAVCOM) is launching a new communications service for business aviation operators and the companies that support them. The company provides a communications platform allowing 256-bit end-to-end encrypted phone calls and text, audio-video conferencing and file sharing on users' personal mobile devices such as phones, tablets and electronic flight bags, as well as a desktop browser-based interface.

“We founded SAVCOM on the common sense belief that business aviation operators, flying expensive equipment with very important passengers and typically representing very large security-sensitive corporations, must communicate safely and securely at all times as an industry best practice,” says CEO Martin Hamilton.

He goes on to explain that communications methods and open systems used every day by the general public such as cellular voice, SMS text, email and free-to-the-public chat apps, are not secure. This is especially true of foreign telecom data and voice telephony services and public wi-fi, and the vulnerability of personal devices that are susceptible to viruses and malware.

Some countries, including Russia and China, no longer allow visitors to establish a VPN (virtual private network) to securely send email or retrieve files remotely. “There are billions of attempts made each day around the globe to steal data and do harm to regular people,” he adds. “Fortune 500 corporations and high profile and high net worth individuals are specifically targeted. These parties must remain secure and protected when they leave the digital safety net of their headquarters; SAVCOM removes all these risk variables from the safety and security equation, and it can be used with any data system around the world.”

SAVCOM maintains client security in such cases through a proprietary, closed, private network not available to, or accessible by, the general public. The system works with any domestic or foreign telecom data providers, internet service provider (ISP), public wi-fi or aircraft internet data system.

Clients may set up unique communications groups and one-way broadcasts, allowing organisations to rapidly disseminate information to the right people at the right time.

SAVCOM also offers an encrypted audio-video conferencing feature that gives users the ability to either schedule a video conference or have an impromptu meeting with multiple personnel.

No browser plug-ins, conference codes or dial in numbers are required and the feature is built into the user app. “Until now there has been a professional 'line in the sand' for most businesses where corporate email, not personal text, has been the only acceptable means of non-verbal communication,” he continues. “In addition to being incredibly secure, SAVCOM provides a platform that makes text communication professionally acceptable. Being present and in-touch, even when crew members and management are on opposite sides of the world, is important. It strengthens the organisation and improves morale, efficiency and safety.”

SAVCOM also offers potential applications for emergency response plan (ERP) providers and telemedical services, where the ability to rapidly assemble a team and communicate securely from multiple locations are key to responding quickly and effectively, and saving lives.

“Our ultimate goal is to create a business aviation community on this platform where operators can not only access their service providers securely and easily, but can also share information related to safety and any other issues with their peers from other operations,” he concludes. “SAVCOM provides ultimate discretion, but also allows us to create a secure venue for the exchange of ideas never before possible in our industry.”