Fact · Voice privacy and security
NIST's glossary defines an air gap as an interface between two systems that are not physically connected and whose logical connection is not automated.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“An interface between two systems at which (a) they are not connected physically and (b) any logical connection is not automated”
air gap - Glossary, Computer Security Resource Center, NIST Computer Security Resource Center, 2022, Definitions.
Open the original- What it measures
- The glossary credits this wording to CNSSI 4009-2022, which reuses the definition in IETF RFC 4949. The definition describes the data path between two systems, not a product.
- What it does not show
- The definition covers physical and automated connections. It does not say which controls an organization must use, so a policy has to name them. The glossary also says data crosses the interface only manually, under human control, which is the rule a dictation workflow must follow.