The main difference lies in the direction of communication: a data diode enforces a strictly unidirectional flow, while the Electronic AirGap provides equivalent physical isolation while allowing secure bidirectional exchanges.

Structural limitations of a data diode
A network diode is effective for one-way information flows (to a SOC or Historian, for example). However, many OT use cases require two-way communication: remote administration, file synchronization, industrial protocols with acknowledgments. Some solutions bypass this limitation by combining two diodes with synchronization gateways, which increases complexity and introduces high latency.

What Electronic AirGap adds

Criteria Data diode Electronic Air Gap Seclab
Communication direction Unidirectional only Unidirectional et bidirectional
Physical isolation Yes Yes (protocol break)
Bidirectional throughput
Not applicable (or severely degraded via double diode)
 Up to 800 Mbps
Additional software on network side
 Often required Not required
Resistance to internal compromise Partial Yes (3-compartment processor architecture)

 

The Electronic AirGap therefore combines the strict isolation of a diode with the operational flexibility required by modern industrial environments.

Key takeaway– Electronic AirGap provides the same level of physical isolation as a data diode, but supports bidirectional communications up to 800 Mbps, without additional software components and without compromising security.