Whitepaper
The Complete Guide to Sovereign AI Deployment
Learn how to design, secure, and operate sovereign AI platforms that keep all data under local jurisdiction while meeting regulatory and performance requirements.
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Executive Summary
Air-gapped AI deployment represents the gold standard for security-critical environments. This whitepaper provides a comprehensive technical guide to deploying and operating AI systems in fully isolated environments.
Understanding Air-Gapped Requirements
Definition
An air-gapped system is physically isolated from unsecured networks, including the internet. For AI systems, this means:
No network connectivity to external systems
Physical isolation of hardware
Controlled data transfer mechanisms
Manual update processes
Use Cases
Air-gapped AI is essential for:
Defense and national security
Critical infrastructure (power, water, telecommunications)
Financial system core operations
Healthcare systems with sensitive patient data
Government classified information processing
Architecture for Air-Gapped AI
Hardware Requirements
Compute Infrastructure
Dedicated server hardware
GPU accelerators (NVIDIA, Huawei Ascend, Intel Gaudi)
Redundant power supplies
Hardware security modules (HSM)
Storage Systems
Encrypted storage arrays
Backup systems
Secure media handling
Network Infrastructure
Isolated network segments
No external connectivity
Intrusion detection systems
Software Stack
Hardened Linux OS
AI frameworks (TensorFlow / PyTorch)
Optimized inference engines
Vector databases and document processing
Monitoring and logging stack
Data Transfer Protocols
Secure Import Process
1**Data Preparation** on isolated workstation
2**Media Preparation** on approved, encrypted media
3**Security Scan** using multiple engines
4**Physical Transfer** under controlled procedures
5**Import Verification** and integrity checks
6**Audit Logging** for the entire chain
Model Update Process
Validate model externally
Perform security review
Package with cryptographic signatures
Transfer via approved media
Stage to test environment first
Roll out to production with rollback plan
Security Controls
Physical security and facility controls
Role-based access control and MFA
Encryption at rest and in transit
Secure key management and HSMs
Comprehensive logging and monitoring
Operational Procedures
Health and performance monitoring
Security event management
Incident response playbooks
Business continuity and disaster recovery
Compliance Considerations
Alignment with NIST, ISO 27001, and national regulations
Audit-ready documentation
Change and access management records
Conclusion
Air-gapped AI deployment requires significant investment in infrastructure, processes, and expertise. For organisations handling sensitive data or critical operations, this investment is essential to unlock AI value without compromising security or sovereignty.