The Short Range Alarmed Carrier PDS is a physical cyber security solution that adds intrusion detection to traditional conduits, pipes, raceways, and cable trays. In practice, it turns an existing cable pathway into protected cable distribution with 24/7 alarm monitoring. It supports the growing demand for secure and classified network connections while enhancing security, reducing costs, and providing real-time situational awareness. The system enables continuous monitoring and protection of critical network infrastructure.
ShortPDS is TAA and NDAA compliant for U.S. government and defense deployments. Protecting fiber infrastructure or longer distances? See the FiberPDS fiber optic alarmed carrier, or explore the full alarmed carrier PDS family.
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Protects up to 4 conduits per processor,
with coverage of up to 300 m / 1000 ft per conduit -
Standalone processor with 24/7/365 tamper detection and relay outputs;
PC software is optional (sensitivity: 22 levels on board, 500 via software). -
Fits most communication infrastructure, uses copper sensor cable,
and connects to standard alarm systems. Designed for alarmed carrier PDS installations built to CNSSI 7003; approval of the installed PDS rests with the accrediting authority.
PDS Use & Deployment
- Point-to-Point Connections
Short-range protection up to 300 m / 1,000 ft per zone (building-to-building, room-to-room, trunk cables), or up to 1,200 m / 4,000 ft from a single processor across four zones. - Encryption Alternative or Complement
For short distances and network gaps. Whether an alarmed carrier is used with or without encryption is determined by the route’s access classification and the installation’s approving authority. - Automated Continuous Monitoring
Provides continuous electronic monitoring in place of routine visual inspections where the approving authority accepts it, improving security and reducing operational cost. - Reduced Infrastructure Requirements
May reduce the need for EMT or rigid metallic conduit when used with armored cable, subject to the approved PDS design, lowering material and installation costs. - Government & High-Security Use
Used by government and defense organizations as part of an approved PDS design to reduce inspection workload and system cost.
ShortPDS and CNSSI 7003
CNSSI 7003 is the U.S. national instruction that defines Protected Distribution Systems (PDS) for carrying unencrypted classified network traffic through areas of lower classification. It describes two families of PDS: hardened carriers, which rely on physical hardening and periodic visual inspection, and alarmed carriers, which add continuous electronic monitoring of the carrier and can reduce the inspection routine approved for the installation.
ShortPDS is RBtec’s copper alarmed carrier sensor for CNSSI 7003 PDS designs over short runs. The sensor cable runs inside or along the conduit, raceway or cable tray, the LPU processor monitors it 24/7/365, and any drilling, tapping, lifting or cutting is reported through dry-contact relays to the site’s alarm system. Approval of the installed PDS, including route classification, any encryption requirement and the inspection schedule, rests with the accrediting authority for the installation; RBtec supplies the sensing layer, the product datasheet and installation details for the design package. For long fiber routes, see FiberPDS.
System Integration & Protection
Universal System Compatibility
Integrates with any alarm system, CCTV, DVR, NVR, or SCADA platform.Broad Infrastructure Coverage
Designed to protect most communication infrastructures, including metal or plastic conduits, pipes, cable trays, and raceways.Advanced Tamper Detection
Detects drilling, tapping, lifting, and other intrusion attempts by sensing vibration patterns on protected cables.Multi-Zone Monitoring
Each processor supports up to 4 zones with independent relay outputs per zone.High Immunity to False Alarms
Three-layer filtering using vibration frequency analysis, automatic live calibration, and 500 adjustable sensitivity levels.
Innovative Solutions for Every Need
Purpose built perimeter detection for the industries where a breach costs the most.
Explore how RBtec fits yours:
Substations and Electrical Utilities
Government & Classified Networks
ShortPDS Alarmed Carrier PDS: Frequently Asked Questions
An alarmed carrier Protective Distribution System (PDS) turns ordinary conduits, pipes, raceways, and cable trays into monitored infrastructure. A sensor cable detects the vibration signatures of drilling, tapping, cutting, or lifting on lines carrying sensitive or classified data, providing continuous electronic monitoring instead of the daily visual inspections required for traditional hardened-carrier PDS.
ShortPDS is RBtec’s short-range copper alarmed carrier PDS. One standalone processor monitors up to four conduits or cable trays, each up to 300 m (1,000 ft), with no software, server, or calibration required. It is designed for CNSSI 7003 alarmed carrier deployments and is TAA and NDAA compliant.
Yes. Alarmed carrier PDS is recognized under CNSSI 7003 as a method for protecting unencrypted classified transmission lines. ShortPDS provides the continuous monitoring layer for point-to-point links such as building-to-building trunks, room-to-room runs, and network gaps, as an alternative or complement to encryption.
It senses vibration patterns on the protected carrier and detects drilling, tapping, lifting, cutting, and similar tampering attempts. Three layers of false-alarm filtering (vibration frequency analysis, automatic live calibration, and 500 adjustable sensitivity levels) keep nuisance alarms to a minimum.
Metal or plastic conduit, EMT, pipes, cable trays, and raceways. When deployed with armored cable, ShortPDS can eliminate the need for rigid metallic conduit entirely, reducing material and installation costs while maintaining a compliant protected path.
Each zone has an independent dry-contact relay output (eight relays total, plus tamper and power-loss relays), so it connects to any alarm panel, CCTV/VMS, DVR/NVR, or SCADA platform. Configuration is via USB-C, with optional RS485 or IP connectivity.
No. It operates as a fully standalone system with continuous self-monitoring: there is no server, no software license, and no periodic calibration. Sensitivity is set per zone with 22 onboard levels or 500 fine-grained levels via the optional software tool.
Yes. ShortPDS is TAA and NDAA compliant, making it eligible for U.S. federal government projects, military installations, and critical-infrastructure sites that require compliant security equipment.
Visit the full ShortPDS frequently asked questions page for detailed answers about detection, installation, integration and compliance.
Five Reasons Why Cameras and Manual Inspections Are Not Enough
Cameras watch rooms and corridors - not the inside of pipes, cable trays, and risers. Drilling or tapping a protected line can look like routine maintenance on video.
Video gives you evidence after the fact. An alarmed carrier senses the vibration signature of tampering in real time, raising the alarm before the line is compromised.
Traditional hardened-carrier PDS depends on scheduled visual walk-throughs. ShortPDS replaces daily inspections with continuous 24/7/365 electronic monitoring.
Trunk lines run through ceilings, risers, and underground conduit between buildings - spaces cameras were never designed to cover.
For classified and sensitive networks, CNSSI 7003 describes protected distribution systems, including alarmed carriers with continuous monitoring. Video surveillance alone does not make a cable run an alarmed carrier PDS.
ShortPDS Kit Contents & Coverage
- Pre-cut sensor cable
Available in 250 ft (75 m), 500 ft (152 m), and 1,000 ft (305 m) spools. - Up to 4 zones per processor
Each LPU processor (analyzer) monitors up to four zones (spools). - 4,000 ft / 1,200 m total coverage
Four zones of up to 1,000 ft (300 m) of sensor cable each from a single processor, 4,000 ft (1,200 m) in total. - Complete kit
Every kit includes an LPU processor in a weatherproof enclosure and sensor cable in your chosen length. - Stackable for larger sites
Combine as many kits as needed to protect larger infrastructure.
