What Is an Air Gap?

An air-gapped network is one that has no direct or indirect connection to the internet. This means that even if a hacker were to compromise your router, ISP, or cloud-based accounts, they would have no way of reaching your smart home devices because they are not accessible from outside your home.

At Castellan Property Automation, we design smart home systems that function locally, without relying on cloud services or internet access. This ensures that your devices continue to operate even if your internet goes down and eliminates the risk of remote cyberattacks.

How Does This Compare to Other Security Measures?

1. VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks)

VLANs segment your network, keeping smart home devices separate from your personal devices, like phones and computers. This adds a layer of security but still relies on network rules that, if misconfigured, could expose devices to external threats. An air gap, on the other hand, completely eliminates the risk by physically preventing internet access.

2. Firewalls

Firewalls act as gatekeepers, allowing or blocking traffic based on pre-set rules. While they are crucial for network security, they are not foolproof. Misconfigurations, software vulnerabilities, or sophisticated cyberattacks can bypass firewalls. With an air-gapped system, no firewall breach can expose your devices to the internet because they were never online to begin with.

3. Strong Passwords

Good password hygiene is always recommended, but passwords alone cannot protect against all attack vectors. If a smart device is cloud-dependent, a hacker could gain access by compromising the cloud service provider. With an air-gapped smart home, there is no cloud dependency, eliminating this attack path entirely.

The Benefits of an Air-Gapped Smart Home

• No Cloud Reliance – Your home continues to function even if the internet goes down.

• No Remote Exploits – Hackers can’t access what isn’t connected.

• Data Privacy – Your data stays in your home, not on a company’s servers.

• Faster Local Control – No lag from cloud processing.

• Future-Proof Security – Immune to cloud service shutdowns or breaches.

How Castellan Implements Air Gap Security

Castellan Property Automation uses a local server as the central hub for smart home automation, and we configure an entirely new network for your smart devices.  While remote access is an option, it is configured with extreme caution.  By keeping smart home devices truly local, we ensure that homeowners get all the benefits of automation without the risks.

Is Air Gap Security Right for You?

If you want maximum security, privacy, and reliability in your smart home, air gap security is the best approach. At Castellan Property Automation, we specialize in designing smart home systems that are secure by design, keeping your home automation safe from external threats.

Want to learn more about securing your smart home? Contact us today!