Air Gapped Systems! The Key to Safer Data Storage

Are you looking for an advanced, reliable and resilient data storage system that is impervious to certain hacks and cyber-attacks? Air gapped systems can provide the answer to your search. An Air Gapped System provides an impenetrable barrier between a computer or server containing sensitive data and any other local networks or the public internet making them almost invulnerable to attack. In this blog post we’ll discuss how implementing an air gapped system into your business processes can help reduce risk by ensuring maximum security of your most critical assets.

What is Air Gapped System?

An air gapped system is a computer or network isolated from the internet and other networks for enhanced security. This system typically utilizes powerful encryption software, firewalls, authentication systems and other security measures which are designed to make it virtually impenetrable to outside cyber-attacks. The term "air gap" comes from the fact that no connection is made between the computer or network and any other potentially insecure device.

How Does it work?

An air gapped system works by isolating a computer or network from the internet and any other networks. This ensures that there is no physical connection to potentially vulnerable devices, making it difficult to penetrate. The system relies on powerful encryption software and other security measures such as firewalls, authentication systems, and other security protocols to keep it secure. Additionally, air gapped systems are regularly monitored to ensure that any suspicious activities or attempts to breach the system are identified and dealt with swiftly.

Benefits of Using It

1. Improved Security:

An air gapped system can effectively protect systems and data from external threats, as well as reduce vulnerability to viruses and malware.

2. Faster Transfer Speeds:

Air gapped systems often provide faster data transfer speeds than those connected to a wired or wireless network due to reduced latency caused by the absence of an internet connection.

3. Terrorism Prevention:

As it is difficult for attackers to penetrate an air-gapped system, organizations are protected from malicious attacks such as cyberterrorism.

4. No Risk of Network Traffic Hijacking:

Air gap networks prevent any potential hijacking of network traffic since they are not connected to any other networks.

5. Easy Setup and Maintenance:

Compared to other security measures, an air gap system requires less technical knowledge to install and maintain, making it easier for organizations of all sizes to benefit from its protection.

Also, read: Easy Steps to Protect your PC Data by Backing It Up

6. Compliance with Regulations:

Air gaps can help organizations comply with requirements for sensitive data handling such as GDPR or HIPAA regulations by providing an extra layer of security that adheres to all necessary guidelines.

7. Increased Flexibility for Remote Locations:

Organizations in remote locations are able to access digital resources without relying on unreliable/unstable internet connections when using air gap networks, providing greater flexibility for businesses in remote areas.

8. Easier Attack Identification:

Due the lack of external connection present, any potential attack can be easily identified as originating from inside the air gapped system itself, simplifying investigation efforts for IT teams and forensics experts alike ensuring greater control over sensitive information stored within their internal infrastructure only.

9. Reduced Software Vulnerability:

By keeping all software used locally on the system and secure with regular updates/patches installed no risk is posed through third party software exposure which would put the organization at risk otherwise.

10. Cost Savings:

Air gap networks require less hardware and maintenance which can lead to cost savings in resources allocated towards IT departments in organizations utilizing this type of security measure.

10 Troubleshot Issues of Air Gapped System

1. Limited Data Access:

Air gap systems are isolated from the internet which means that data stored on the system cannot be accessed remotely.

2. Complex Configuration:

Depending on the complexity of the installation, air gapped systems may require specialized knowledge and tools to set up and maintain.

3. Prone to Human Error:

An air gapped system is only as secure as its weakest link, meaning that any human errors can potentially lead to a breach of security.

4. Time-consuming Updates:

As all software and updates must be installed and maintained locally, this can be time-consuming for IT teams when compared with connected systems which typically have automated updates in place.

5. Poor Collaboration:

Without an external connection present, collaboration between two or more air gapped systems is not possible without additional hardware or manual intervention such as USB sticks or other physical media.

6. Incompatible with Cloud Computing:

Air gaps render systems incompatible with cloud computing solutions due to their lack of connection to public networks such as the internet, hindering organizations' ability to use services located externally such as file storage sites or web applications hosted in the cloud.

7. Difficulty Integrating New Devices/Software:

When new devices/software need to be integrated into an air gap environment, this can prove difficult due to the lack of access outside resources.

8. Vulnerability to Physical Attacks:

Even though an air gapped system has superior protection against virtual threats, it is still vulnerable to physical attacks such as unauthorized access by malicious individual’s intent on stealing sensitive data.

9. Restriction of Use Cases:

Certain use cases may not be viable due to the limitations imposed by air gaps, including those which require remote access, real - time data synchronization, or usage of applications not compatible with such environments.

10. Expensive Physical Security Maintenance:

As part of maintaining an effective security perimeter, costly measures must be adopted including surveillance cameras, biometric authentication methods, locked doors and more depending on individual risk factors present within an organization’s infrastructure.

Conclusion:

We hope to have provided a comprehensive understanding of air gapped systems, their advantages and disadvantages. While the security benefits can be significant, the additional difficulties introduced by such systems may outweigh them in certain scenarios. It is important to consider risk factors present in any organization when selecting an appropriate network security solution. Ultimately, with careful planning and consideration of individual needs, air gap networks have the potential to provide a secure and cost-efficient solution for organizations looking to maximize their security.

FAQs

1. What is an air gapped system?

Answers: An air gapped system is a computer or network that has no connection to other computers or networks, and thus cannot be accessed remotely.

2. What are the benefits of using an air gapped system?

Answer: The main benefit of an air gapped system is greater security as it can be much harder for malicious hackers to penetrate the system. Additionally, an air gapped system may reduce the potential impact of a malicious cyberattack as access to other systems is cut off.

3. How secure is an air gapped system?

Answer: An air gapped system can provide increased security as there is no direct connection between it and any other computer or network, making it more difficult for malicious actors to gain access. However, this does not guarantee that the system is completely secure, as social engineering techniques or physical infiltration could still be used to gain unauthorized access.

4. Are there any risks associated with using an air gapped system?

Answer: There are several risks associated with using an air gapped system. Since these systems are disconnected from external networks, they may become vulnerable if they receive physical hardware that was infected by malware in transit, or if they have software containing known vulnerabilities installed on them. Additionally, these systems also require regular maintenance and patching to ensure their continued security.

5. How do I know if my organization should use an air gapped system?

Answer: Organizations should consider using an air gapped system if they have sensitive data that must remain private and secure at all times such as military secrets or financial information. Additionally, if the organization deals with highly sensitive data and needs extra assurance of its security, then an air gapped system should be considered instead of a traditional networked computer environment.

6. What steps should I take to set up and maintain an air gapped system?

Answer: To set up and maintain an air gapped system requires careful planning and implementation from IT professionals familiar with such systems in order to ensure maximum security at all times. It involves selecting appropriate hardware; installing firewalls; ensuring proper authentication protocols; regularly monitoring the activity on the network; regularly implementing patches and updates; setting up additional backup systems where necessary etc.