Air-gapped collaboration: a must-have for defense and government

Protecting sensitive data is critical, particularly in the defense and government sectors. The defense sector handles sensitive information that, if disclosed, might jeopardize national security. 

In 2023, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) saw a 10% increase in cybercrime complaints compared to 2022, totaling 880,418. 

Additionally, Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) is becoming big business.

In 2021, one group, REvil, was responsible for 37% of ransomware attacks. 

So, the digital battleground is just as important as its physical equivalent. 

One option to ensure safe mission communication is to use a self-hosted, air-gapped environment. In this scenario, an air-gapped collaboration means working with the highest level of security but with less connectivity. Teams operate separately and only share their outcomes after following strict security checks.

This isolation provides excellent security, and prevents data breaches, unauthorized access, and more.

Let us explore the importance of air-gapped collaboration, its benefits, and how it can improve coordination, security, and reliability in regulated sectors.

What is air-gapped collaboration?

An air gap is a specialized security mechanism in which a computer or network is isolated and prevented from making an external connection. 

For example, an air-gapped computer is unable to access the internet or any other communications networks, ensuring perfect security for the information stored within it. 

Understanding air-gapped collaboration

Air-gapped collaboration refers to a safe method of sharing and exchanging data between devices or systems that are physically separated from unsecured networks, such as the Internet. 

Unlike traditional communication platforms that rely on internet access, air-gapped systems function in a closed loop, offering a safe conduit for sharing sensitive intelligence and coordinating operations. 

What does air-gapped collaboration entail?

• Air-gapped collaboration technologies provide high levels of security by separating sensitive data from insecure networks. They allow users to connect safely while protecting mission-critical data.
• Air-gapped collaboration solutions include chats, meetings, projects, and whiteboarding in a unified interface. 
• Overall, air-gapped collaboration provides a dependable and strong option for enterprises seeking to protect important data while maintaining seamless communication 
• It can prompt seamless government collaboration within secure environments.

Collaboration development by Rocket.Chat, Bluescape, and Pexip

Popular collaboration and communication platforms Rocket.Chat, Bluescape, and Pexip banded together to develop a safe and efficient collaboration solution tailored exclusively to government and defense organizations. 

• Preparedness-Focused Approach

This collaboration provides a robust solution that ensures data confidentiality and improves operational preparedness and cooperation.

• Classified Operation Toolkit

Their collective toolkit is designed to support a wide range of tasks at all classification levels, from secure headquarters to the most remote deployed forces, to accomplish mission success.

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Government and defense: Why is the air-gapped approach a superior collaboration model

Traditional communication channels often fall short of meeting the rigid security requirements in the military and government, where secrecy and integrity of information are critical. The reliance on internet-based solutions further raises substantial concerns about data breaches and cyber invasions.

Rocket.Chat, Pexip, and Bluescape work together to provide a centralized digital workspace of air-gapped collaboration for chats, meetings, files, planning boards, mission data, and knowledge. 

Air-gapped collaboration has numerous advantages, making it an essential approach for these industries. 

Improving coordination

Coordination is essential for the success of defense and government operations. Defense operations involve numerous groups, both domestically and globally, necessitating smooth coordination and information exchange. 

Air-gapped collaboration provides a secure platform for unified communication, allowing various government branches, agencies, and partners to interact while successfully maintaining secrecy. 

Bluescape allows you to interact visually across all components. Here’s how:

• Centralized communication channels: Defense companies can improve operational efficiency and collaboration efforts by centralizing communication channels in a secure environment. 
• Develop plans: You may plan missions, talk about mission strategies, get ideas and feedback, make decisions, and solve difficulties in real time. 
• Single source of truth: It offers a single source of truth for making data-driven judgments on the go to ensure operational responsiveness.

Secure collaboration across classification levels

With differing degrees of classification for sensitive material, secure communication across clearance levels is critical. Air-gapped environments provide for protected messaging and data sharing, meeting the needs of individuals operating at various security levels while minimizing the danger of data leakage. 

Rocket.Chat allows you to communicate without compromising data privacy or security. It is an open-source platform that benefits the public sector. Here are its notable benefits: 

• Integration features: The platform’s extensive integration features allow you to securely interact with partners, other agencies, and allies to exchange sensitive intelligence, regardless of location or tool used.
• Encryption: Air-gapped collaboration solutions provide strong encryption and access restrictions to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or interception.
• Compliance: Organizations can ensure the confidentiality and integrity of mission-critical information by separating communication channels based on classification levels and compliance with regulatory standards and security policy.

Reliability in extreme environments

Military operations are frequently conducted in hostile locations and enemy territories where traditional communication infrastructure may be unavailable or degraded. 

Air-gapped collaboration systems, which can operate in offline or disconnected modes, guarantee reliable communication even in remote or hazardous environments. It significantly increases operational effectiveness.

With Pexip, you may enable ground forces to deliver a clear image of the battlefield and maintain connectivity even in severe circumstances. 

Here’s what Pexip offers: 

• Situational awareness: So it's more than just connectivity; it's about providing ground forces with the tools they need to successfully relay combat intelligence, deliver real-time updates, and develop situational awareness. 
• Operational readiness: By employing resilient communication technologies, defense organizations may overcome logistical problems and sustain operational readiness in the most demanding conditions.
• Helps real-time decisions: This enables commanders to make intelligence-driven judgments and respond in real-time to evolving scenarios.

Specifics of air-gapped collaboration

The integration of Rocket.Chat, Pexip, and Bluescape technologies resulted in a complete collaboration suite customized to the specific needs of government and defense enterprises, aligned with federal zero trust strategy.‍