Increasing the tactical edge’s access to cloud and AI capabilities: the widely available Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance
Computing capabilities are a major barrier for organisations operating in harsh, disconnected, or mobile locations such as long-haul trucking operations, remote research stations, or disaster zones. Before, enterprises running mission-critical workloads were denied access to crucial cloud and AI capabilities in challenging edge environments environments that come with their own set of requirements and constraints.
Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance
Google is thrilled to announce that the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance, a new configuration that extends Google’s cloud and AI capabilities to tactical edge locations, is now generally available. Real-time local data processing for AI use cases including object detection, medical imaging analysis, and predictive maintenance for critical infrastructure is made possible by the integrated hardware and software solution. The device can be easily carried in a sturdy case or installed in a rack in local working circumstances according to each customer.
Advanced cloud services, including many of their data and machine learning capabilities, are delivered via Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped. Clients can take advantage of pre-integrated AI technologies, like Speech-to-Text, OCR, and Translation API, which are part of their Vertex AI offering and adhere to Google’s AI Principles. Through marketplace, a catalogue of applications from independent software suppliers (ISVs) is made possible by the solution’s expandable design.
The open cloud strategy of Google Cloud forms the foundation of Google Distributed Cloud. Utilising leading-edge open source components for both the platform and managed services, it is constructed on the Kubernetes API. Because open software uses already-existing knowledge and resources rather than forcing users to pick up new, proprietary systems, it promotes developer adoption more quickly.
The air-gapped appliance from Google Distributed Cloud offers:
Accreditation for Department of Defence (DoD) Impact Level 5 (IL5): The appliance has obtained Impact Level 5 accreditation, which is the strictest security and protection standard needed for sensitive but unclassified data. Additionally, the appliance is actively working towards obtaining these certifications and is designed to fulfil Impact Level 6 and higher accreditations.
Enhanced AI capabilities Customers can use integrated AI features like speech, optical character recognition (OCR), and translation from the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance to improve the performance of their mission-critical applications. For example, they can scan and translate documents written in many languages using OCR and translation technologies, therefore providing their end users with readable and accessible documents.
Durable and lightweight design the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance is designed to endure severe environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, shock, and vibration. Its portable and tough design satisfies rigorous accreditation requirements like MIL-STD-810H, guaranteeing dependable performance even in trying circumstances. It is easily transportable and deployable in different locations because to its human-portable weight of roughly 100 pounds.
Complete isolation: The Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped equipment is made to function without a connection to the public internet or Google Cloud. The appliance maintains the security and isolation of the services, infrastructure, and APIs it oversees while operating fully in disconnected settings. Because of this, it is perfect for handling sensitive data while adhering to tight legal, compliance, and sovereignty guidelines.
Integrated cloud services: The Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance provides Google Cloud services including data transfer and analytics technologies in addition to infrastructure-as-a-services (IaaS) elements like computation, networking, and storage.
Data security: To safeguard sensitive data, the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance has strong security features like firewalls, encryption, and secure boot.
For enterprises with strict security needs, the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance provides a variety of use cases, such as:
Reaction to a disaster: Accurate and timely information is essential for organising relief activities and preserving lives during a disaster. However, the infrastructure required to enable conventional data processing and transmission systems is frequently absent from disaster-affected areas. The Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance is a ruggedized, self-contained device that can be quickly deployed to disaster-affected areas even without internet connectivity.
It has all the necessary software and tools pre-installed for gathering and analysing data, allowing for quick emergency response. Aid organisations may boost their disaster response skills, improve coordination, and save lives during emergencies by utilising the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance.
Industrial automation: In difficult settings at the edge, the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance provides a creative solution for remote equipment monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimisation. For example, in the manufacturing industry, the device can be used to monitor and optimise the functioning of equipment in remote factories, resulting in increased output and reduced downtime.
Transportation and logistics: The fleet management, autonomous vehicle, and real-time logistics optimisation demands are uniquely supported by the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance. For instance, by providing real-time data collecting, processing, and decision-making, the device can enable autonomous cars operate and deploy more securely and effectively in difficult environments.
Limited tasks for the government and military: The air-gapped appliance from Google Distributed Cloud is made to support compliance rules and security standards while meeting the needs of limited workloads including AI inference and simulations, intelligence translation, and sensitive data processing.
Michael Roquemore, Director of the Rapid, Agile, Integrated Capabilities Team at the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO), stated, “Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance will enable the Air Force to bring the maintenance digital ecosystem to Airmen in austere and forward deployed locations, supporting the Air Force’s agile objectives while prioritising security and reliability.” “The RSO can leverage already developed Google-based technologies in both connected cloud and disconnected edge to bring digital innovation to the Service Members wherever they operate by delivering a secure and compliant edge compute platform.”
