An Airlock agent is a security solution that focuses on allowing only trusted applications to run within a computing environment, ensuring a strong application allowlist. It is a tool to easily create and manage secure allowlists in dynamically changing computing environments.
Understanding Airlock Agents
Unlike traditional antivirus software that blocklists known malicious files, an Airlock agent operates on the principle of allowing only what is explicitly trusted. This approach is especially useful in scenarios where zero-day exploits or unknown malware pose a significant threat.
Key Features and Benefits
- Application Allowlisting: The core function of an Airlock agent is to maintain and enforce a list of approved applications. Only applications on this list are permitted to execute.
- Dynamic Environment Support: Airlock agents are designed to adapt to changing IT landscapes, making them suitable for modern, dynamic computing environments. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining security without hindering operational agility.
- Enhanced Security Posture: By preventing unauthorized applications from running, Airlock agents significantly reduce the attack surface and minimize the risk of malware infections.
- Ease of Management: According to the reference, Airlock enables easy creation and management of secure allowlists.
How Airlock Agents Differ From Antivirus Software
| Feature | Airlock Agent (Allowlisting) | Antivirus (Blocklisting) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Principle | Allows only explicitly trusted files/applications to run. | Blocks known malicious files based on signatures. |
| Effectiveness | Highly effective against zero-day exploits and unknown malware, as only trusted applications are permitted. | Reliant on up-to-date signature databases; less effective against new or unknown threats. |
| Management | Requires initial setup to define trusted applications. | Requires ongoing signature updates. |
| Resource Usage | Can potentially have lower resource usage in environments with a limited set of trusted applications. | Can consume more resources due to continuous scanning and signature-based detection. |
| Example | An Airlock agent might only allow specific versions of Microsoft Office and a custom-developed application to run, blocking all other executable files by default. | Antivirus software will attempt to identify and block executable files matching known malware signatures. |
Practical Application
Imagine a point-of-sale (POS) system in a retail environment. An Airlock agent could be configured to allow only the POS application, its necessary dependencies, and the operating system components to run. This would prevent unauthorized software, such as malware, from being installed and potentially stealing customer data.
