If you manage industrial devices, you know they’re never really “set it and forget it.” Cellular routers, gateways, and edge systems need regular attention — firmware updates, configuration changes, health monitoring, and security oversight — all without disrupting operations. For many IT and OT teams in industrial and regulated environments, that management often starts on-premises, where they can maintain tighter control over device access, data handling, and change management while still keeping visibility across their network.
What teams are really deciding today isn’t whether they need remote device management — it’s whether that management should be cloud-based, on-prem, or a hybrid of both. Cloud platforms offer speed and centralized visibility, but they don’t always align with environments that have strict security requirements, limited connectivity, or compliance constraints. At the same time, on-premises systems can’t operate in isolation forever—they still need updates, monitoring, and lifecycle management. That’s why more organizations are gravitating toward on-prem or hybrid device management models that balance security, control, and operational practicality.
Answer Box
Why the on-premises pivot matters
Many regulated and industrial environments can’t rely on always-on internet connectivity—or accept the risk of cloud-only management. The shift to on-prem-first device management isn’t “going backward”; it’s a practical reset that keeps systems secure and operational even when fully isolated.
- Air gaps help, but aren’t enough: Maintenance, updates, and monitoring still must happen—and manual processes don’t scale.
- On-prem-first reduces risk: Local control, isolation by default, reliable operations, and tighter compliance alignment.
- Hybrid is often the sweet spot: Keep sensitive operations on-site while using cloud visibility and remote access where allowed.
- Digi Remote Manager fits the reality: Deploy as cloud, on-prem, or hybrid without changing platforms.
Best for: energy, manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and other critical infrastructure with strict security, uptime, or data residency needs.
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For years, the air gap was treated like a security silver bullet. If a system wasn’t connected, it couldn’t be hacked — simple as that. But anyone actually running industrial, utility, healthcare, or critical infrastructure environments knows it has never been that simple.
Today, organizations are caught between two very real needs: keeping systems locked down and keeping operations running efficiently. And the truth is, neither pure air-gapping nor cloud-only management delivers both on their own.
That’s why we’re seeing a clear shift — not away from security or innovation — but toward something more balanced.
Let’s clear something up: the move back toward on-premises device management isn’t about rejecting the cloud or resisting progress. It’s about acknowledging reality.
In many industrial and regulated environments, devices live in places where:
- Connectivity is limited or tightly controlled
- Downtime isn’t an option
- Compliance requirements are strict
- Security teams need full authority over systems and data
Cloud-only management tools often struggle here — not because they’re bad tools, but because the environment simply doesn’t allow persistent external connectivity.
At the same time, keeping everything completely isolated creates its own risks. Manual updates don’t scale. Configuration drift goes unnoticed. And operational blind spots grow over time.
So organizations are doing what experienced operators always do: adjusting instead of overcorrecting.
Most IT and OT leaders aren’t debating theory. They’re dealing with practical challenges like:
“We need air-gap security, but devices still need maintenance.”
Firmware, certificates, and configurations still require lifecycle management. Fully manual processes increase error rates and long-term risk.
“We want control without sacrificing reliability.”
Security measures that interrupt operations or add fragile dependencies aren’t acceptable in OT environments.
“We can’t afford to open unnecessary paths.”
Every new connection increases attack surface. Security teams want confidence that systems stay isolated by default.
These pressures are pushing teams toward a more pragmatic model.
The answer many teams are landing on isn’t “cloud versus on-prem.”
It’s on-prem first, designed to operate securely even when fully isolated.
An on-prem-first approach allows organizations to:
- Keep all device management local to their environment
- Maintain strict separation from external networks
- Retain full control over access, authentication, and policy enforcement
- Operate reliably regardless of internet availability
Rather than assuming connectivity and adding restrictions later, this model assumes isolation and builds secure operations around it.
That distinction matters.
This shift is especially important in industries like energy, manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, and transportation — where a single misstep can mean downtime, safety risks, or regulatory consequences.
In regions like the U.S. Gulf Coast, where critical infrastructure is dense and highly regulated, security decisions aren’t abstract. They’re operational decisions with real impact.
An on-prem-first strategy helps teams stay in control without freezing modernization in place.
What a Practical, Secure Device Management Approach Looks Like
Organizations making this shift successfully tend to focus on a few key principles:
- Isolation by default — Systems are secure even when completely disconnected
- Strong segmentation — Critical assets remain separated and protected
- Authenticated, encrypted local management — No shortcuts, even internally
- Automation with guardrails — Fewer manual steps, fewer mistakes
- Clear IT/OT alignment — Shared security goals, defined responsibilities
This isn’t about adding complexity. It’s about reducing risk where it matters most.
When it comes to device management, one size rarely fits all. Digi Remote Manager® gives organizations the flexibility to choose on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid deployment — without changing platforms.
Cloud-based management delivers rapid deployment, automatic updates, and anywhere access, making it ideal for teams that value speed and scalability. On-premises deployments, on the other hand, offer greater control over data residency, security policies, and network isolation for highly regulated environments.
For organizations that need the best of both worlds, Digi Remote Manager supports hybrid models that keep sensitive operations on-site while leveraging the cloud for centralized visibility and remote access. The result: secure, scalable device management that adapts to your operational and compliance needs.
The Bottom Line
The conversation has moved past “cloud versus air gap.”
What matters now is how to stay secure without standing still.
The on-prem pivot isn’t about going backward. It’s about building device management strategies that match the realities of modern infrastructure — secure, resilient, and built to last.
Isn’t an air gap enough anymore?
The air gap helps — but by itself, it doesn’t address ongoing maintenance, configuration consistency, or operational resilience.
Why not just use cloud management everywhere?
Cloud management cannot be used everywhere because not every environment allows it, and not every system should rely on external connectivity to remain secure and functional.
What does “on-premise device management” actually mean?
On-prem device management means devices are configured, monitored, and maintained entirely within your own infrastructure.
Does the on-premise approach increase complexity?
If on-premise device management is done poorly, it can increase complexity. Done well, it simplifies operations by keeping control and accountability local.
What’s the biggest benefit of on-premise device management?
The biggest benefit of on-premise device management is control. You decide how systems are managed — without depending on constant connectivity or external services.
Why are some organizations re-evaluating cloud-only device management?
The security landscape has changed. Many industrial and regulated environments now operate under stricter security, compliance, and connectivity constraints. Cloud-only models often assume persistent external connectivity, which isn’t always possible — or desirable — when uptime, isolation, and control are critical.
Does moving to on-premises device management mean abandoning the cloud?
On-premises and cloud management are not mutually exclusive. The shift toward on-premises management isn’t a rejection of the cloud — it’s a recalibration. Many teams are adopting an on-prem-first or hybrid approach that preserves cloud benefits where appropriate while keeping sensitive operations local and tightly controlled.
What is an “on-prem-first” device management model?
An on-prem-first model is designed to operate securely even when completely isolated from the internet. It assumes limited or no connectivity by default and builds secure device lifecycle management — updates, monitoring, access control — within the local environment rather than relying on external services.
Why isn’t full air-gapping enough on its own?
While air-gapping reduces exposure, it introduces operational challenges. Manual firmware updates, configuration changes, and security monitoring don’t scale well and can increase long-term risk. Modern environments need secure automation and visibility without unnecessarily expanding the attack surface.
What industries benefit most from on-prem or hybrid device management?
Industries such as energy, manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and other critical infrastructure sectors benefit significantly from on-prem or hybrid device management. These environments often face strict regulatory requirements, limited connectivity, and low tolerance for downtime — making flexible deployment options essential.
How does a hybrid device management model work?
In a hybrid model, device management functions can be split intelligently. Sensitive data and operations remain on-premises, while cloud capabilities are used for centralized visibility, reporting, or remote access when allowed. This provides balance without forcing compromises on security or operations.
How does Digi Remote Manager support these different models?
Digi Remote Manager® is available as a cloud-based solution, an on-premises deployment, or a hybrid configuration — using the same platform across all models. This allows organizations to adapt their deployment strategy without changing tools as requirements evolve.
Can Digi Remote Manager operate in environments with limited or no Internet access?
Yes. Digi’s on-premises deployment is designed for environments where connectivity is restricted or intermittent, enabling secure local device management without dependence on external networks.
What are the key benefits of choosing Digi’s on-premises option?
On-premises Digi Remote Manager provides greater control over data residency, authentication, access policies, and network isolation. It allows teams to meet strict security and compliance requirements while still maintaining efficient device lifecycle management.
How does an on-prem device management approach help IT and OT teams work together?
By supporting secure automation, clear access controls, and flexible deployment models, Digi Remote Manager helps align IT and OT goals — reducing friction between security requirements and operational reliability.
Next Steps
Need help? A Digi expert can help your team identify the right solution for your application needs, and can even help identify all needed components and plan your deployment.