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If a security control generates too many false-positive alerts, or worse, blocks legitimate processes, it becomes too disruptive. The stability and availability requirements of these environments also require organizations to consider how disruptive a security control will be.
Air gapped computer network software#
As a result, deploying software agents to secure systems in air-gapped networks is often not a realistic possibility. This typically means that they aren’t supported by security vendors either.
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Also, you can often find legacy systems that are still active in these networks, even though they are no longer supported by their manufacturers. Other proprietary systems are under strict vendor warranty terms that don’t allow any 3rd party software installation on the servers.
Air gapped computer network install#
The Challenges of Securing Air-Gapped NetworksĬonsidering what’s at stake, sensitive organizations need-NEED!-to ensure air-gapped networks are in actuality protected not only from the external world, but also if someone managed to gain a foothold inside the network.Ī lot of air-gapped networks have highly sensitive systems that must remain stable and available 24x7x365 and it’s impossible to reboot them after a software install or after a patch is applied. While in the past, it might have been a sound approach, modern threats along with modern practices mean that air-gapped networks don’t provide airtight security, leaving your network exposed to threats. The truth is that air-gapped networks are nowhere near as secure as they are made out to be. For example, 2017’s NotPetya attack made use of the incredibly powerful Mimikatz tool to propagate not only in internet-facing IT networks, but also in air-gapped OT networks. Once inside, attackers can start moving laterally in the network, using stolen passwords and credentials to make their way deep inside these critical networks. This Also Means Air-Gapped Networks Can be Infiltrated. We are all familiar with the example of the Stuxnet malware which was initially introduced into air-gapped networks using infected removable drives such as USB flash drives. All this means that inherently, the network is no longer entirely cut off from the outside. For example, software updates can be transferred into the air-gapped network using a USB drive and remote vendor support may also be required from time to time. Operators may need to transfer external files into the network. In most cases, some connectivity to the outside world is required. The construct works well on paper, but the reality is that these networks are not nearly as cut off as many operators think. The Less-Than Secure Reality of Air-Gapped Networks Traditionally, these organizations segregate their most sensitive network segments entirely and they are-at least, in theory-cut off from any internet connections.
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Some examples of air-gapped networks include critical infrastructure companies, such as power, energy and water utilities, and organizations dealing with different levels of top secret systems and data like defense contractors, government agencies, and military branches. This is obviously a pretty drastic measure so the approach is typically only used by highly sensitive organizations that require the maximum level of security. *****By Ron Rasin and Revital Aronis, Silverfort*****Īir-gapped networks are computer networks that don’t have any interfaces connected to the outer world.