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Compared. Each architecture solves a different problem. Cloud enables collaboration. NAS delivers local speed. Data diodes enforce one-way flow. Immutable backups enable recovery. Only Offline Secure Storage® delivers prevention: zero network exposure, zero attack surface, zero breach vectors. - Zero attack surface - Layer 1 disconnected - Prevention over recovery 01 Five architectures ## Each solves a different problem. Only one of these removes the network entirely. ### Cloud Storage Always connected, always exposed Purpose Collaboration and convenience Limitation Cannot disconnect Permanent network presence means any connected attacker, ransomware, or misconfiguration can reach your data. Multi-tenancy means your security is only as strong as your weakest co-tenant. Examples AWS S3 · Azure Blob · Google Cloud Storage · Dropbox Business ### NAS Local network storage, locally exposed Purpose On-premises file sharing and backup Limitation Cannot leave the network Network-attached storage sits on the LAN, making it a primary target for lateral movement. Ransomware routinely encrypts NAS devices first. No physical isolation means no breach prevention. Examples Synology · QNAP · TrueNAS · Buffalo TeraStation ### Data Diodes One-way transfer, still cabled Purpose Unidirectional data transfer Limitation Cannot provide bidirectional access Enforces one-way flow but both sides remain cabled to infrastructure. The receive side is still network-accessible and vulnerable. No identity management, no succession, no managed storage layer. Examples Waterfall Security · Owl Cyber Defence · Nexor · OPSWAT ### Immutable Backups Cannot be altered, but still reachable Purpose Recovery after compromise Limitation Cannot prevent the breach Data is write-protected but the storage infrastructure remains network-connected. Attackers can still exfiltrate, enumerate, or destroy access paths even if they cannot modify the backup itself. Examples Veeam Immutable · Rubrik · Cohesity · Object First · HyperBUNKER · WORM Tape ### Offline Secure Storage® (#OSS) Physically disconnected by design Purpose Prevention through physical isolation Advantage Governed access by design Intentional friction ensures only authorised, deliberate access to crown jewel assets. Scheduled connectivity windows add a governance layer that prevents impulsive access and deters unauthorised retrieval, security through architecture, not policy. Examples Firevault Vault · Firevault Storage · Firevault Platform 02 Feature comparison ## Capability matrix. Capability Cloud NAS Data Diodes Immutable OSS Physically disconnected from network Always connected via IP LAN or WAN connected One-way only, still cabled Network-attached, write-protected Layer 1 physical air gap Zero network attack surface IP address always scannable Exposed on local network Receive side still reachable Reachable via network protocols No IP, no port, no path Prevents ransomware reaching data Ransomware spreads via network Often first target on LAN Outbound only, but still connected Data immutable but still reachable Cannot encrypt what is not connected No third-party cloud dependencies Relies on AWS, Azure, GCP On-premises hardware On-premises hardware Often cloud-hosted Dedicated hardware, no cloud Dedicated single-tenant hardware Multi-tenant shared infrastructure Your own device Your own appliance Shared storage pools Your own physical drives Identity-locked access (KYC/MFA) Password + MFA typical Basic user/password No user-level identity Admin credentials KYC, AML, and MFA verified Data recovery after total network compromise Compromised with the network Compromised with the LAN Receive side may survive Recoverable but may be exfiltrated Untouched, offline, intact No admin backdoor or support access Provider staff can access Local admin access Vendor firmware updates Admin console accessible Zero third-party access Hardware-level encryption at rest Software encryption typical Varies by model Data in transit only Varies by provider AES-256 with Quantum Key Encryption Digital succession planning Account dies with user No succession model No succession model No succession model Vault Buddy next-of-kin access Interactive Comparison ## Compare What Matters to You Toggle dimensions to focus on the tradeoffs that matter most. Each score reflects architectural capability, not marketing claims. SecurityAccess SpeedCost EfficiencyRecovery TimeComplianceData Control Cloud Storage NAS Data Diodes Immutable Backup Firevault OSS Security Firevault OSS 3 2 6 5 10 Access Speed Cloud Storage 9 8 5 6 8 Cost Efficiency NAS 7 8 4 5 6 Recovery Time Immutable Backup 6 4 3 8 8 Compliance Firevault OSS 4 3 5 6 9 Data Control Firevault OSS 3 6 5 4 10 Scores reflect architectural capability based on physical disconnection, network exposure, encryption method, access governance, and regulatory alignment. Not based on vendor marketing. Head to Head ## Firevault OSS vs Cloud Backups A direct comparison across the dimensions that matter. Toggle filters to focus on your priorities. Tap any bar to see the detail. SecurityAccess SpeedCost EfficiencyRecovery TimeComplianceData Control Compare all 5 providers Firevault OSS Cloud Storage Security: Firevault OSS Access Speed: Cloud Storage Cost Efficiency: Cloud Storage Recovery Time: Firevault OSS Tap any bar to see a detailed breakdown Scores reflect architectural capability, physical disconnection, encryption method, access governance, and regulatory alignment. Not based on marketing. 03 The physics of security ## Connected can be compromised. Disconnected cannot. This is not a feature comparison. It is a fundamental architectural difference. Every solution below except Offline Secure Storage® remains network-attached in some form. ### Cloud Storage Always has an IP address Can always be found and attacked Network Exposure 24/7 Attack Surface Large Breach Vectors 5+ Tenant Isolation Shared ### NAS Lives on the local network First target for lateral movement Network Exposure 24/7 Attack Surface Medium Breach Vectors 4+ Tenant Isolation Single ### Data Diodes One-way cabled connection Receive side still network-exposed Network Exposure Partial Attack Surface Medium Breach Vectors 2+ Tenant Isolation Single ### Immutable Backup Network-attached, write-protected Can be reached, enumerated, exfiltrated Network Exposure 24/7 Attack Surface Medium Breach Vectors 3+ Tenant Isolation Varies ### Offline Secure Storage® (#OSS) No IP, no network, no path Cannot be found, cannot be breached Network Exposure 0 hrs Attack Surface None Breach Vectors 0 Tenant Isolation Dedicated 04 When to use what ## These are not competing solutions. They serve different purposes in a layered security strategy. Prioritise based on your risk profile. ### Cloud Storage Operational Day-to-day workflows Teams needing real-time collaboration on non-sensitive operational data. - Day-to-day collaboration - Frequently accessed files - Team file sharing - Operational documents - Version-controlled projects Not for Crown jewels, cryptographic keys, or data that cannot tolerate breach. ### NAS Tactical Local performance needs Organisations needing fast on-premises access without cloud latency or cost. - Local file sharing - Media libraries - On-premises backup targets - Development environments - High-throughput ingest Not for Data requiring breach prevention, NAS is the first ransomware target on any LAN. ### Data Diodes Specialist Unidirectional transfer OT/IT boundary enforcement where data must flow one way with no return path. - OT to IT transfer - SCADA telemetry export - One-way log shipping - Cross-domain feeds - Classified data export Not for Bidirectional access, managed storage, or identity-locked retrieval. ### Immutable Backups Recovery Post-breach restoration Ensuring point-in-time recovery after ransomware or accidental deletion. - Disaster recovery - Compliance archives - Point-in-time restore - Backup retention policies - Regulatory evidence Not for Prevention, immutable backups assume the breach has already occurred. ### Offline Secure Storage® (#OSS) Prevention Pre-breach protection Assets that must never be breached, exfiltrated, or held to ransom. Zero attack surface by design. - Crown jewel protection - Succession and legacy data - Cryptographic keys - Board-level documents - Data that must never be breached Not for Replacing your cloud or NAS, OSS adds a physically disconnected layer that protects what those systems cannot. 05 Ready when you are ## Ready to add a physically disconnected layer? OSS does not replace your cloud or backup strategy. It protects what those systems cannot. [Book a Demo](/demo)[View Compliance Alignment](/compliance) ![Mark Fermor](/assets/mark-fermor-aWtKNSv7.jpg) ![David Bailey](/assets/david-bailey-Dgqj8eaE.jpg) ![Kenny Phipps](/assets/kenny-phipps-CVyooRsR.jpg) Online Now Concierge ## See why offline beats cloud for your most sensitive data Answer a few questions and we will show you exactly where offline storage outperforms traditional cloud solutions. Takes about 2 minutes. No account needed. Find Out Free 2 mins No sign-up