{"id":12277,"date":"2024-11-07T08:54:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T16:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/?p=12277"},"modified":"2025-04-16T11:48:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T18:48:52","slug":"time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-air-gap-a-manufacturing-digital-dinosaur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-air-gap-a-manufacturing-digital-dinosaur","title":{"rendered":"Time to Say Goodbye to the \u201cAir Gap\u201d, a Manufacturing Digital Dinosaur"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12278″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]In the era of digitalization, technology that was once groundbreaking can quickly become outdated. Floppy disks, fax machines, and dial-up internet are just a few of the digital dinosaurs we\u2019ve eagerly left in the dust in favor of more agile and efficient alternatives. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true \u2013 solutions and processes that should be left in the past simply aren\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A great example is the \u201cair gap.\u201d Once considered a gold standard of security in which systems were physically isolated from outside networks, the air gap has become less effective amid the rise of digital systems that rely on real-time data, cloud integration and seamless communication between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Erik Gross, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at QAD, pointed out in a <\/span>recent article<\/span><\/a>, the shift from isolated systems to interconnected technologies demands a rethinking of security measures. Modern threats don\u2019t just exploit systems \u2013 they exploit people. And in manufacturing environments with shared devices and high turnover, outdated security strategies like the air gap can\u2019t keep up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are outdated security tactics like the air gap holding back your operations? Let\u2019s explore how adaptive security strategies built for today\u2019s interconnected world can better protect your people, processes and equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the Air Gap No Longer Works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Separating systems from external networks via the air gap used to be an effective tool for preventing unauthorized access. However, automation, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and other advances have created vulnerabilities that are no match for an old-school system of defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A recent <\/span>National Institute of Standards and Technology<\/span><\/a> (NIST) report highlights the evolving nature of cyber threats, noting that some types can now invade air-gapped systems. Modern malware, for example, can be introduced through compromised USB drives or wireless signals that bypass physical barriers yet are critical for a high level of connectivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Erik explained, this challenge is not unique to manufacturing. Industries like healthcare and education, where shared devices are common and workers are assigned digital identities, face similar issues. The need for secure, efficient and adaptable solutions is universal and reminds us that businesses need to not just think in terms of technology, but also how they manage human-driven vulnerabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing the Human Element in Manufacturing Cybersecurity<\/span><\/h2>\n

People are the most important part of any organization, but they can also be one of your greatest cybersecurity vulnerabilities. In 2023, the <\/span>World Economic Forum<\/span><\/a> reported that nearly 95% of cybersecurity breaches are linked to human error. The human element of cybersecurity cannot be overlooked, but it\u2019s particularly complex in manufacturing where high turnover rates and temporary workers can complicate access management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People-centric challenges include:<\/span><\/p>\n