Air-Gapped Data Collection via Portable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-gapped networks pose challenges for data collection and monitoring due to the lack of network connections, making it difficult to implement fully automated and secure data exfiltration and IT management.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a computer program component to collect configuration item data from air-gapped networks, which is then reviewed and filtered within the network before being physically transferred via a portable storage medium to an external system for IT management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical isolation is implemented to ensure security, then security is improved, but data collection and monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable storage medium as an intermediary carrier to transfer data between the air-gapped network and external systems. This mediator enables data exfiltration without creating permanent network connections, thus maintaining security while enabling data collection. The storage medium acts as a temporary bridge that can be physically transported across the air gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of data within the air-gapped network using the portable storage medium before transferring to external systems. Configuration item data is collected, reviewed, and filtered within the isolated network environment, then copied onto the portable medium for external processing. This copying approach allows data to be manipulated and managed externally while maintaining the physical isolation integrity.
2Reliability
If manual review and filtering is implemented before data exfiltration, then data security and control are improved, but operational efficiency and automation level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary review and filtering actions within the air-gapped network before data exfiltration occurs. Configuration item data is collected and reviewed by authorized personnel within the isolated network environment, allowing sensitive information to be filtered out beforehand. This preliminary action ensures security control while enabling subsequent automated or semi-automated exfiltration of cleaned data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic control over the data exfiltration process through the portable storage medium interface. Authorized personnel can review, filter, and approve data for transfer, creating a dynamic security layer that adapts to organizational policies. This dynamic approach balances automated data collection with human oversight for security-critical decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program component configured to collect configuration item data from information technology resources of an air-gapped network for an information technology configuration management database is provided. Configuration item data collected from the information technology resources of the air-gapped network is obtained using the provided computer program component, wherein the obtained configuration item data is physically transferred between a device within the air-gapped network and a device outside the air-gapped network at least in part via a portable physical storage medium, and the collected configuration item data has been reviewed and filtered within the air-gapped network prior to being physically transferred via the portable physical storage medium. The obtained configuration item data is imported to the information technology configuration management database outside the air-gapped network. Information technology management services are provided for the air-gapped network using the imported configuration item data stored outside the air-gapped network.