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Secure by Design
For the past decade, the mantra for government IT has been “Cloud First.” But for State and Local agencies managing critical infrastructure, criminal justice information (CJI), and sensitive citizen data, the reality is shifting toward “Cloud Smart”, and often, that means staying on-premise.
As an IT Director, you are caught in a bind. You need modern tools to train staff and drive adoption of complex systems, but the leading SaaS Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) introduce unacceptable risks. They require browser extensions that “phone home” to the cloud, transmit user behavior analytics to third-party servers, and demand constant internet connectivity.
In a secure government environment, these aren’t features; they are vulnerabilities.
This post explains why a true on-premise architecture is the only viable path for agencies that cannot compromise on security, and how you can modernize user support without exposing your network.
Most software vendors operate on a “Shared Responsibility Model.” They secure the cloud infrastructure, but you are responsible for the data you put into it. When a cloud-based DAP records a screen to generate a walkthrough or tracks user keystrokes for analytics, that data leaves your secure perimeter.
For agencies bound by strict compliance frameworks, this creates immediate hurdles:
- CJIS Compliance Challenges: The FBI’s CJIS Security Policy requires strict controls over “physically secure locations” and data encryption. If a SaaS tool processes data on a public cloud server, you lose the absolute control required over encryption keys and data residency.
- The “Fake” On-Premise: Some competitors claim to offer on-premise solutions, but fine print often reveals that key features like analytics or content updates still require a connection to their cloud servers via a proxy. This breaks the air gap and defeats the purpose of an isolated network.
- Data Sovereignty Risks: With the rise of “Cloud Repatriation”, moving workloads back on-premise to regain control and reduce costs, agencies are realizing that keeping data within their own physical data centers is the only way to guarantee total sovereignty.
The Reality of Air-Gapped Environments
In public safety, defense, and utilities, many critical systems are air-gapped – completely physically isolated from the public internet.
A standard SaaS adoption tool simply will not work here. If the internet goes down, or if the system is designed never to touch the internet, the “help” button breaks. Your users are left stranded exactly when they need guidance the most.
Anakage’s Offline Architecture is built differently. We treat the endpoint as a self-sufficient unit.
- Zero Data Egress: Our content, logic, and analytics engine sit entirely within your network or directly on the device. No usage data, screenshots, or PII ever leaves your environment.
- Full Functionality Offline: Unlike competitors who lose features without connectivity, Anakage provides full step-by-step guidance and automated fixes in completely disconnected environments.
Security Doesn’t Mean Stagnation
Choosing on-premise doesn’t mean you are stuck with the “clipboard and manual” era. You can still have modern, automated IT management, but it must be architected to run inside your walls.
For example, keeping these isolated systems healthy requires rigorous maintenance. You need to ensure that vulnerabilities are patched without opening the floodgates to the internet.
To learn how to handle this securely, read The Complete Guide to Automated Vulnerability & Patch Management.
Furthermore, rolling out updates in a secure environment requires precision. You cannot simply “push live” to everyone at once; you need controlled, tiered deployment strategies to ensure stability in mission-critical systems.
Discover best practices for this in The Importance of Approval Workflows & Pilot Groups in Patching.
The Anakage Difference: Modernization Without Compromise
You shouldn’t have to choose between a secure infrastructure and a productive workforce. Anakage allows you to overlay modern, interactive guidance on top of your legacy and modern applications while respecting your security boundaries.
- Deploy completely on-premise: Keep 100% of your data behind your firewall.
- Comply with CJIS and GDPR: Maintain absolute control over data storage and encryption keys.
- Support the mission anywhere: Deliver training and support to field officers and remote workers, even when connectivity is lost.
Ready to secure your software adoption strategy?
Schedule a Demo Today to discuss your agency’s specific security requirements and see how Anakage fits into a zero-trust environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is “Cloud First” risky for government software adoption?
A: Cloud-based adoption tools often require browser extensions that transmit user behavior data to third-party servers. For agencies managing Criminal Justice Information (CJI) or sensitive citizen data, this breaks the secure perimeter and creates compliance vulnerabilities.
Q: What is the “Shared Responsibility” trap with SaaS DAPs?
A: While SaaS vendors secure their infrastructure, the agency is responsible for the data entered. If a SaaS tool records screens or keystrokes for analytics, that sensitive data leaves the agency’s control, complicating CJIS compliance and data sovereignty.
Q: How does Anakage work in air-gapped environments?
A: Anakage utilizes an offline architecture where all content, logic, and analytics engines reside entirely on the endpoint or within the local network. This ensures zero data egress and full functionality even when the system is physically isolated from the internet.
Q: Can on-premise software modernize user support effectively?
A: Yes. Choosing on-premise does not mean relying on outdated manuals. Platforms like Anakage allow agencies to overlay modern, interactive guidance and automated fixes on legacy or modern apps while keeping 100% of data behind the firewall.
This is a really important point, it’s great to see the focus on security and control. I appreciate the reminder that for many organizations, on-premise solutions are still the best bet for sensitive data.