What is offline secure storage?

Offline secure storage (OSS) is a data protection method where data is physically disconnected from the internet when not in use. Unlike cloud storage, data stored offline has zero remote attack surface — it cannot be hacked, ransomed or accessed remotely because it is not connected to any network. Firevault provides this through hardware-encrypted vaults that are physically isolated.

How does Firevault protect against ransomware?

Firevault protects against ransomware by physically disconnecting your data from the internet. Ransomware can only encrypt data it can reach over a network. When your data is stored offline in a Firevault, ransomware attacks cannot reach it. Even if your entire network is compromised, your offline vault remains untouched and intact.

How much does Firevault cost?

Firevault Vault starts from £75 per month (inc VAT) for individuals. Business Storage starts from £360 per month (inc VAT). Enterprise Platform pricing is available on request. All plans include hardware encryption, identity verification, and physical disconnection by default.

Who is Firevault designed for?

Firevault is designed for individuals protecting passports, wills and crypto keys; professionals such as solicitors, accountants and consultants protecting client data; SMEs and businesses protecting crown jewel data; and regulated industries including healthcare, financial services and legal sectors requiring offline backup for compliance with GDPR, NIS2, DORA and FCA regulations.

Is Firevault GDPR compliant?

Yes. Firevault is designed to support GDPR compliance by keeping sensitive personal data physically isolated and offline. Physical disconnection ensures data is not exposed to network-based attacks, supports data minimisation principles, and provides an audit trail of access. Firevault is also designed to support NIS2, DORA, FCA and SRA compliance requirements.

What is a physical air gap?

A physical air gap is a security measure where a computer or storage device is completely isolated from the internet and all unsecured networks. Unlike a logical or software air gap, a physical air gap cannot be bridged remotely. Firevault uses a Layer 1 physical air gap — your data is stored on hardware that is physically disconnected from any network when not in active use.

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CISO Buyer's Guide

A security leader's guide to evaluating offline secure storage. Learn how physical disconnection eliminates attack surfaces that software controls cannot address.

15 min read

Executive Summary

Who this guide is for: Chief Information Security Officers and Security Leadership responsible for enterprise data protection strategy.

What you will learn: How offline secure storage addresses gaps in traditional security architecture, and how to evaluate whether Firevault fits your security strategy.

Key takeaway: If it is offline and disconnected, it cannot be scanned, stolen, or ransomed. Firevault removes the attack surface entirely for your most sensitive data.

The Problem We Solve

Traditional perimeter security fails against:

Persistent threats: Attackers with long dwell times
Insider risk: Privileged access abuse
Supply chain attacks: Compromised vendors and tools
Credential theft: Stolen keys and tokens

When attackers have valid credentials, software controls are insufficient. Physical disconnection is the only reliable defence for crown jewel data.

What Firevault Is

Firevault provides offline secure storage with three product tiers:

Vault: Digital safe deposit box for individuals and executives
Storage: Enterprise-scale offline infrastructure
Platform (fv-PaaS): Modular control layer for regulated environments

All products share the same core principle: physical disconnection by default, controlled connectivity when needed.

Security Architecture

Firevault implements security at multiple layers:

Physical layer: Hardware disconnection, not software switches
Identity layer: KYC/AML verification, MFA, biometrics
Access layer: Time-boxed sessions, granular permissions
Storage layer: Hardware encryption, RAID redundancy
Facility layer: Firevault Bunkers with physical access controls

Framework Alignment

Firevault complements (not replaces) your existing frameworks:

NIST CSF: Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover functions
MITRE ATT&CK: Eliminates entire attack techniques
ISO 27001: Physical and environmental security controls
Zero Trust: Never trust, always verify at physical level

Threat Model Analysis

Firevault is effective against:

Ransomware: Cannot encrypt what is not connected
Data exfiltration: Cannot reach what is offline
Credential compromise: Physical access still required
Insider threat: All access logged and time-bound

Deployment Considerations

When evaluating Firevault, consider:

Data classification: Which data requires offline protection?
Access patterns: How frequently is access needed?
Recovery requirements: What are your RTO/RPO targets?
Compliance requirements: Which regulations apply?

Integration with Existing Security

Firevault integrates with:

SIEM platforms for session logging
Identity providers for authentication
Backup systems for offline copy creation
GRC platforms for compliance reporting

Vendor Risk Assessment

Key questions for your evaluation:

What is the physical security of storage facilities?
How is physical disconnection verified?
What identity verification is required for access?
What audit trails are maintained?
What is the ownership model for hardware?

Business Case

Firevault reduces risk exposure for:

Regulatory fines (GDPR, NIS2)
Ransomware recovery costs
Cyber insurance premiums
Board and executive liability

Next Steps

If your security architecture has gaps that software controls cannot address, book a technical consultation to discuss how Firevault fits your strategy.