---
title: "Architectural Flaws Behind Breaches | Firevault"
url: https://fire-vault.com/root-cause/architectural-flaws
description: "Address fundamental architectural vulnerabilities with Firevault's physically disconnected storage. Remove the design flaws that enable attacks."
lang: en-GB
---

Root Cause

# Architectural Flaws

Most security failures are not about inadequate controls. They are about fundamental design choices that keep data permanently reachable. Offline Secure Storage® fixes the design, not just the configuration.

100%

Of breaches need a path

Firevault Architecture Analysis

62%

Via third-party connections

Ponemon Institute 2024

94%

Rely on cloud architecture

Gartner 2024

01 The Problem

## The Foundation Is Flawed

Traditional IT architecture was designed for convenience and collaboration, not for a world of sophisticated, persistent threats. The result: built-in vulnerabilities.

### 1 Always-On Connectivity

Traditional architecture assumes data must be constantly accessible. This creates permanent attack surface.

### 2 Shared Infrastructure

Cloud and SaaS models mean your security depends on others. One tenant's breach can affect all.

### 3 Flat Network Design

Once inside, attackers move laterally. Segmentation helps but cannot eliminate the fundamental flaw.

### 4 Backup Connectivity

Even backup systems remain network-connected, making them reachable and encryptable by ransomware.

### Traditional Approach

- ✗ Data remains online and reachable 24/7
- ✗ Security depends on perfect configuration
- ✗ Attackers only need one vulnerability
- ✗ Recovery requires negotiation or rebuilding

### Firevault Approach

- ✓ Data physically disconnected by default
- ✓ Security guaranteed by architecture
- ✓ No network path means no remote attack
- ✓ Recovery from clean, untouched copies

### The Firevault Solution

Firevault addresses architectural flaws at Layer 1, the physical layer. By removing network connectivity entirely, we eliminate the design assumptions that make traditional systems vulnerable.

02 Related Risks

## Architecture-Related Risks We Address

### Third Party and Supplier Exposure

Vulnerabilities introduced through vendor connections and shared infrastructure.

62% Of breaches via third parties
https://fire-vault.com/control-for-supply-chain-risk

### Operational Disruption

Architectural weaknesses that enable cascade failures and extended downtime.

£1.5M Average hourly downtime cost
https://fire-vault.com/oss-for-ransomware-recovery

### Data Breach

Always-connected architecture that keeps data permanently reachable.

277 days Days average breach detection
https://fire-vault.com/oss-for-customer-data

### Cloud Concentration Risk

Over-reliance on single providers creating systemic vulnerability.

94% Of enterprises use cloud
https://fire-vault.com/control-for-supply-chain-risk

### Network Attack Surface

Every connection point is a potential entry for attackers.

11sec Between ransomware attacks
https://fire-vault.com/oss-for-ransomware-recovery

### Legacy System Vulnerabilities

Outdated systems that cannot be patched but must remain connected.

67% Still run legacy systems
https://fire-vault.com/oss-for-ransomware-recovery

How Offline Secure Storage helps

## How OSS Fixes Architectural Flaws

OSS addresses flaws at Layer 1, the physical layer. No always-on connections, no shared infrastructure, no flat network design. By removing network connectivity entirely, Offline Secure Storage eliminates the design assumptions that make traditional systems vulnerable.

Learn more about Offline Secure Storage (https://fire-vault.com/offline-secure-storage)

Image: Mark Fermor (https://fire-vault.com/assets/mark-fermor-DWFWqeWL.jpg)

Image: David Bailey (https://fire-vault.com/assets/david-bailey-Dgqj8eaE.jpg)

Image: Kenny Phipps (https://fire-vault.com/assets/kenny-phipps-Dy-CtCjw.jpg)

Online Now

Get started

## Protect what matters. Control what moves.

Choose your Vault and check out in minutes. Dedicated hardware, identity-locked to you, physically disconnected when closed.

From £360 a month including VAT. 36-month commitment. First payment at checkout.

From £360/mo VAT included 36-month plan

## Structured data

```json
[
  {
    "@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": "Protect what matters with Offline Secure Storage and control what moves with Control by Firevault. Physically disconnected, always reachable by you.",
    "address": {
      "@type": "PostalAddress",
      "addressCountry": "GB",
      "addressLocality": "United Kingdom"
    },
    "contactPoint": [
      {
        "@type": "ContactPoint",
        "contactType": "customer service",
        "email": "hello@fire-vault.com",
        "availableLanguage": "English",
        "areaServed": [
          "GB",
          "EU",
          "US",
          "AE"
        ]
      },
      {
        "@type": "ContactPoint",
        "contactType": "sales",
        "email": "sales@fire-vault.com",
        "availableLanguage": "English",
        "areaServed": [
          "GB",
          "EU",
          "US",
          "AE"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "founder": [
      {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Mark Fermor",
        "jobTitle": "Founder, CTO and CMO"
      },
      {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "David Bailey",
        "jobTitle": "Founder and CEO"
      }
    ],
    "areaServed": [
      "United Kingdom",
      "Europe",
      "United States",
      "Middle East"
    ],
    "sameAs": [
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/firevault",
      "https://x.com/firevaultuk"
    ],
    "slogan": "Disconnect to Protect",
    "brand": [
      {
        "@type": "Brand",
        "name": "Offline Secure Storage"
      },
      {
        "@type": "Brand",
        "name": "Control by Firevault"
      },
      {
        "@type": "Brand",
        "name": "Firebreak"
      }
    ],
    "knowsAbout": [
      "Offline Secure Storage",
      "Physically disconnected data storage",
      "Physical Air Gap Data Protection",
      "Ransomware Protection",
      "Ransomware recovery",
      "3-2-1-1-0 backup rule",
      "AI kill switch",
      "Operational technology security",
      "Critical national infrastructure resilience",
      "Data Sovereignty",
      "GDPR Compliance",
      "NIS2 Compliance",
      "DORA Compliance",
      "NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework"
    ]
  },
  {
    "@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": "Protect what matters with Offline Secure Storage and control what moves with Control by Firevault. Physically disconnected, always reachable by you.",
    "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/root-cause/architectural-flaws#webpage",
    "url": "https://fire-vault.com/root-cause/architectural-flaws",
    "name": "Architectural Flaws Behind Breaches",
    "description": "Address fundamental architectural vulnerabilities with Firevault's physically disconnected storage. Remove the design flaws that enable attacks.",
    "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-home.jpg"
    },
    "inLanguage": "en-GB",
    "breadcrumb": {
      "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/root-cause/architectural-flaws#breadcrumb"
    }
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/root-cause/architectural-flaws#breadcrumb",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Home",
        "item": "https://fire-vault.com"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Root Cause",
        "item": "https://fire-vault.com/root-cause"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "Architectural Flaws Behind Breaches",
        "item": "https://fire-vault.com/root-cause/architectural-flaws"
      }
    ]
  }
]
```