Are Air Gaps Dead in 2026?
Modernizing Isolation in IT & OT Networks
The traditional air gap was once considered the gold standard for securing critical infrastructure. But in 2026, maintaining true isolation is increasingly difficult—and threat actors have found ways to bridge the gap.
This session moves beyond common assumptions to provide a technical, educational, and conversational deep dive into modernizing your network isolation strategy. Our goal is to equip customers, partners, and OT practitioners with clear, thoughtful perspectives on advanced security architectures.
- Free registration and attendance
- Moderated by the OPSWAT Academy team
- Live chat enabled for audience questions
- Earn CPE credits by attending the full live session
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In this webinar, Kris Voorspoels, Director of Products & Solutions at OPSWAT, will challenge conventional thinking about air-gapped security and share practical insights from years of implementing cross-domain solutions in critical infrastructure environments. Drawing from real-world deployments, Kris will explore why classic air gaps often fall short in modern ICS settings and what organizations can do to modernize their isolation strategies.
Our goal is to provide you with clear, actionable perspectives on secure architectures, threat mitigation, and lessons learned from the field that you can apply in your own environment.
What You Will Learn
Join us to explore the critical shifts in OT security and understand how to build a truly resilient defense.
- Why Air Gaps Fail
Classic air gaps are difficult to maintain in today's complex ICS and critical infrastructure deployments.
- New Threat Vector Analysis
Identifying modern threat vectors that continue to bypass supposedly "isolated" systems.
- Modern Isolation Strategies
How to modernize your architecture using cutting-edge technologies like data diodes and unidirectional security gateways and secure file transfer patterns.
- Field-Tested Architectures
Practical, real-world architectures and lessons learned from the field, including: Implementing NDR (Network Detection and Response) using data diodes. Developing robust Airgap Security Profiles. Seamless integration patterns, such as Splunk integration in an isolated environment.
- Why Air Gaps Fail
Classic air gaps are difficult to maintain in today's complex ICS and critical infrastructure deployments.
- New Threat Vector Analysis
Identifying modern threat vectors that continue to bypass supposedly "isolated" systems.
- Modern Isolation Strategies
How to modernize your architecture using cutting-edge technologies like data diodes and unidirectional security gateways and secure file transfer patterns.
- Field-Tested Architectures
Practical, real-world architectures and lessons learned from the field, including: Implementing NDR (Network Detection and Response) using data diodes. Developing robust Airgap Security Profiles. Seamless integration patterns, such as Splunk integration in an isolated environment.
Featured Speakers
Kris Voorspoels is the Director of Products & Solutions at OPSWAT, where he contributes to the strategic direction of products and solutions that enhance the security and resilience of operational environments. Previously serving as a Cross Domain Solution Architect, Kris worked directly with critical infrastructure and government clients to solve complex cybersecurity challenges using cross-domain and data diode solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in industrial telecommunications and cybersecurity, Kris brings deep expertise in air-gapped architectures, IT/OT isolation, and key OT and IT protocols and systems. His strong technical foundation enables him to navigate complex operational requirements and support organizations across critical sectors as they strengthen their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly connected world.
Irfan Shakeel leads global cybersecurity education programs at OPSWAT Academy that focus on protecting critical infrastructure, especially in ICS/OT environments. He is the former founder of eHacking, a platform that has helped thousands of people acquire cybersecurity skills through practical and easy-to-understand training.
He is also a published writer, with articles featured on platforms like HuffPost and IBM DeveloperWorks. With over 10 years of experience in the field, he continues to support the cybersecurity community by creating hands-on labs, sharing expert insights, and providing real-world training that prepares professionals to face today's evolving threats.
Attending the Full Session to Earn CPE Credits
