--- title: "PCI DSS Storage for Cardholder Data | Firevault" description: "Cardholder data belongs off the network when it is not being used. Firevault holds PCI backup copies in an offline vault that stays outside your CDE by design." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#organization", "name": "Firevault", "legalName": "Firevault Limited", "url": "https://fire-vault.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/logo.png", "width": 200, "height": 60 }, "foundingDate": "2025-03", "description": "Firevault has rewritten the rules for data protection & storage via its offline secure storage (OSS) platform, for users to vault everything that matters.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "addressLocality": "United Kingdom" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "email": "hello@fire-vault.com", "availableLanguage": "English", "areaServed": "GB" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/firevault", "https://x.com/firevaultuk" ], "slogan": "Disconnect to Protect", "knowsAbout": [ "Offline Secure Storage", "Physical Air Gap Data Protection", "Ransomware Protection", "Data Sovereignty", "GDPR Compliance", "NIS2 Compliance" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#website", "name": "Firevault", "alternateName": [ "Firevault", "Firevault UK", "Firevault Limited" ], "url": "https://fire-vault.com", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "description": "Firevault has rewritten the rules for data protection & storage via its offline secure storage (OSS) platform, for users to vault everything that matters.", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fire-vault.com/learn?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance/pci-dss#webpage", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance/pci-dss", "name": "PCI DSS Storage for Cardholder Data", "description": "Cardholder data belongs off the network when it is not being used. Firevault holds PCI backup copies in an offline vault that stays outside your CDE by design.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/#organization" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://fire-vault.com/images/og/og-base-platform.jpg" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance/pci-dss#breadcrumb" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance/pci-dss#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fire-vault.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Compliance", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "PCI DSS Storage for Cardholder Data", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/compliance/pci-dss" } ] } ] --- Recent Breaches Breaches [2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](https://techcrunch.com)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](https://www.securityweek.com)[2026 Co-operative Group 6.5M records ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly7z9zj3l1o)[2026 Harrods Attempted intrusion ](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/uk-luxury-retailer-harrods-latest-target-cyber-attack-2025-05-01/)[2026 Legal Aid Agency (Ministry of Justice) 2.1M records ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/legal-aid-agency-data-breach)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78jkev1el2o)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k7yy8n3g5o)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gx8p3rzeo)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c789e7l1z7po)[2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](https://techcrunch.com)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](https://www.securityweek.com)[2026 Co-operative Group 6.5M records ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly7z9zj3l1o)[2026 Harrods Attempted intrusion ](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/uk-luxury-retailer-harrods-latest-target-cyber-attack-2025-05-01/)[2026 Legal Aid Agency (Ministry of Justice) 2.1M records ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/legal-aid-agency-data-breach)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78jkev1el2o)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k7yy8n3g5o)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gx8p3rzeo)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c789e7l1z7po) [View All →](/learn/breaches) [![Firevault - offline secure storage, physically disconnected from the internet](/assets/logo-color-DBVl0KCg.png)](/) Products Solutions [Why OSS](/why-oss) More [Help](/help)[Get started](/get-started) Overview The requirementThe gapsConsequencesThe architectureWhat sits offline Compliance, PCI DSS # PCI DSS Compliance with Offline Secure Storage Protect cardholder data and meet PCI DSS 4.0 requirements by removing sensitive payment data from network-accessible environments. - Offline by default - Identity locked access - Hardware encrypted Book a mapping call[Framework matrix](/compliance/frameworks) ![Security analyst reviewing an isolated workstation with disconnected cables](/assets/hero-square-analyst-CiP17E_k.jpg) $4.88M Average cost of a payment data breach 12 Core PCI DSS requirements 2025 PCI DSS 4.0 full enforcement year 01 The requirement ## PCI DSS 4.0 Requirements PCI DSS 4.0 introduces stricter requirements for protecting stored cardholder data, with customised approaches requiring demonstrable security controls. This is a mapping , not a certification claim. Firevault holds Cyber Essentials Plus. Everything else on this page is stated as alignment: Offline Secure Storage® produces evidence you can point at in your own submission, assessment or audit. 02 What is tested ## PCI DSS Core Requirements Each line below is something an assessor, regulator or underwriter can ask you to evidence. Protect stored cardholder data Encrypt transmission of cardholder data Restrict access to cardholder data by business need Regularly monitor and test networks 03 Consequences ## Non-Compliance Risks What happens when the control is missing, and the record cannot be produced. ### Processing Restrictions Loss of ability to process card payments ### Financial Penalties Fines from $5,000 to $100,000 per month ### Forensic Audits Mandatory third-party security assessments ### Increased Liability Full liability for fraudulent transactions 04 The architecture ## How OSS Supports PCI DSS Compliance Offline Secure Storage removes cardholder data from network-accessible systems, directly addressing multiple PCI DSS requirements. ### Network Segmentation Physical disconnection is the ultimate network segmentation ### Access Control Identity-verified access with full audit trails ### Encryption Hardware-level encryption for all stored data ### Scope Reduction Reduce your CDE footprint by moving archived data offline 05 What sits offline ## Payment Data Protected The records most often moved into Offline Secure Storage® for this framework. Archived cardholder data Transaction records and logs Payment processing documentation Security audit evidence Key management records Compliance assessment reports ### Authoritative Sources - [ICO GDPR Guidance (ICO) ](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/) - [NCSC Cyber Essentials (NCSC) ](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview) ![Mark Fermor](/assets/mark-fermor-C-vy1NeN.jpg) ![David Bailey](/assets/david-bailey-CnLw95Ao.jpg) ![Kenny Phipps](/assets/kenny-phipps-DxIqwaIL.jpg) Online Now Concierge ## Tell us which framework you are being tested against. We will map Offline Secure Storage® to the outcomes your assessor is checking, and give you the wording and evidence to submit. Takes about 2 minutes. No account needed. Find Out Free 2 mins No sign-up