---
title: "OSS GDPR: Offline Secure Storage and Article 32 | Firevault"
description: "Map your GDPR Article 32 obligations with offline storage. We show how it provides 'appropriate technical and organisational measures' by design. See how."
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Recent Breaches 

Breaches 

[2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Lidl GB Customer contact data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Asahi Group Production systems disrupted ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Kido International 8K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](/learn/breaches)[2026 PowerSchool 62.4M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 DISA Global Solutions 3.3M records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Globe Life 850K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Lidl GB Customer contact data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Asahi Group Production systems disrupted ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Kido International 8K records ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Collins Aerospace (RTX) Check-in and boarding disruptio... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Jaguar Land Rover Production and IT systems disru... ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Peter Green Chilled Order and logistics data ](/learn/breaches)[2026 Adidas UK Customer contact details ](/learn/breaches)

[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)

OSS, Compliance & Risk 

# GDPR Compliance with Offline Secure Storage 

GDPR Article 32 requires 'appropriate technical and organisational measures.' Offline Secure Storage (OSS) provides physical disconnection, the strongest technical measure available.

-   Article 32 measure gaps
-   Personal-data exfiltration
-   Encryption-only reliance
-   ICO enforcement action

Schedule a Demo[View All Compliance](/solutions/oss)

![Rows of locked server cabinets inside a secure Firevault data hall](/__l5e/assets-v1/a4d3902c-28a5-42f4-bbfb-c12ddaacce1b/hero-square-drive.png)

Risks

How it worksExplore moreQuestions

The evidence 

01 

ICO fine to Capita for GDPR failures

£14M ICO fine to Capita for GDPR failures ICO, October 2025 

02 

ICO fine to LastPass for data protection failures

£1.2M ICO fine to LastPass for data protection failures ICO, December 2025 

03 

Data protection complaints received by ICO in 2024

36,049 Data protection complaints received by ICO in 2024 ICO Annual Report 2024 

04 

People affected by single Co-op data breach

6.5M People affected by single Co-op data breach BBC News, 2025 

The Gap 

## Where current approaches fall short.

Most organisations rely on encryption and access controls alone. These are necessary but insufficient.

01 

### Encryption Is Not Enough

Encrypted data is still reachable, still targetable, and still at risk of key compromise.

02 

### Article 32 Demands More

'Appropriate measures' must be proportional to risk, for sensitive data, physical protection is expected.

03 

### ICO Expectations

The ICO increasingly expects demonstrable physical security measures for high-risk processing.

The reality 

## GDPR enforcement is accelerating.

Every incident below is a matter of public record. Each one involved data that was reachable from a live network at the moment of compromise.

01 

### Capita: £14M Fine for Failing to Secure Personal Data

The ICO issued a combined £14 million fine to Capita for failing to implement appropriate technical measures under GDPR, after hackers accessed personal data of over 6 million people.

ICO, October 2025

02 

### LastPass: £1.2M Fine After 1.6 Million UK Users Exposed

The ICO fined LastPass £1.2 million for GDPR failures that allowed hackers to steal personal information of 1.6 million UK customers. The ICO described the security measures as unacceptable.

ICO, December 2025

03 

### Co-op: 6.5 Million Members' Data Stolen

Attackers exfiltrated personal data of all 6.5 million Co-op members. The ICO opened an investigation into whether appropriate technical measures were in place under Article 32.

BBC News, 2025

We Think This Is Hard to Ignore

> The ICO issued £14 million in fines to a single firm for failing to implement appropriate technical measures. At Firevault, personal data lives on hardware with no network connection, because Article 32 requires appropriate measures and physical disconnection is the strongest one available.

How OSS Maps 

## Physical disconnection as an appropriate measure.

Offline Secure Storage (OSS) directly satisfies GDPR Article 32 by providing physical technical measures.

-   Physical disconnection, the strongest technical measure available 
-   Full audit trail for accountability requirements 
-   Data minimisation through controlled access sessions 
-   Integrity and confidentiality through tamper-evident storage 

Remove Step 1 

Disconnect Step 2 

Retrieve Step 3 

#### Take Personal Data Off Connected Systems

Step 1 of 3 

Personal data is taken off always-connected systems and written to physically disconnected RAID 1 drives inside a Firevault Bunker. Data that is not online cannot be breached, scraped, or exfiltrated remotely.

Featured In

[![TechRadar Pro logo](/press/techradar-pro-logo.svg) ](https://www.techradar.com/pro/uk-startup-put-physical-disconnect-switch-in-its-cloud-storage-offering-to-mitigate-ransomware-attacks-but-will-that-be-enough "Read about Firevault on TechRadar Pro") [![Yahoo Finance logo](/assets/yahoo-finance-logo-white-aNkUpCH7.png) ](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/firevault-launches-help-businesses-directors-074500961.html "Read about Firevault on Yahoo Finance") [![Channel Insider logo](/assets/channel-insider-logo-white-CFFo4iu7.png) ](https://www.channelinsider.com/security/tools-and-platforms/firevault-security-offline-platform-offering/ "Read about Firevault on Channel Insider") [![Security Buyer logo](/assets/security-buyer-logo-white-o6oIaBWz.png) ](https://securitybuyer.com/uk-cybersecurity-startup-launches-firevault/ "Read about Firevault on Security Buyer") [![SecurityBrief logo](data:image/png;base64,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) ](https://securitybrief.com.au/story/firevault-unveils-offline-digital-vault-to-combat-rising-cyber-risks "Read about Firevault on SecurityBrief") 

Commercial Advantage 

## Win Business, Earn Trust, and Build Reputation with Butterfly 

Butterfly is an operational model that helps organisations structure sensitive data to close deals faster, strengthen client relationships, and demonstrate the governance maturity that wins enterprise contracts.

Built on the VPPP framework (Vault, Policy, Permissions, Purpose), Butterfly maps your sensitive data and assigns dedicated Vaults by role, relationship, and purpose, turning data stewardship into a competitive advantage.

#### Deal Readiness

Governed materials ready to share with confidence

#### Client Trust

Demonstrate stewardship that earns loyalty

#### Board Confidence

Clear governance that inspires stakeholders

#### Enterprise Scale

Structure data governance across your organisation

[Learn About Butterfly](/vault/butterfly)[Talk to Our Team](/contact)

![Butterfly deployment model](/assets/butterfly-logo-DzAX9Xyl.png)

### Who Uses Butterfly?

-   Sales Teams 
    
    Secure client proposals, pricing, and commercial intelligence
    
-   Service Providers 
    
    Exchange sensitive documents with clients through governed Vaults
    
-   Businesses 
    
    Protect strategic plans, IP, and competitive intelligence
    
-   Family Offices 
    
    Structure data governance across principals, staff, and advisors
    

## Explore More

[

### ISO 27001

Map OSS to ISO 27001 Annex A controls.

Learn more about ISO 27001 ](/solutions/oss/compliance/iso-27001)[

### NIS2

Physical resilience for NIS2 compliance.

Learn more about NIS2 ](/solutions/oss/compliance/nis2)

Questions

## Frequently Asked

How is OSS different from cloud storage? 

How do I access my data? 

Where is my data stored? 

Is my data encrypted? 

CAF-aligned

## Mapped to CAF outcomes, not certified against CAF.

Firevault is not certified against the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework. CAF is a self-assessment framework for essential service operators. The sections below show how our products help you evidence CAF outcomes in your own submission.

### Offline Secure Storage and CAF

Using Offline Secure Storage supports CAF Objective B (Protecting against cyber attack) and Objective D (Minimising the impact of incidents). Gold copies live on hardware that is physically disconnected between sessions, giving operators evidence of protective isolation and a recoverable state.

Supports outcomes

B3 Data Security B5 Resilient Networks & Systems D1 Response & Recovery Planning 

[How OSS maps](/solutions/oss)

### Taking Control, deploying Blueprints and CAF

Deploying a Control Blueprint supports CAF Objective A (Managing security risk) and Objective C (Detecting cyber security events). Blueprints document identity-verified access, session logging and segregation between operational and archived data, so the controls can be pointed at CAF outcomes in a self-assessment.

Supports outcomes

A2 Risk Management A4 Supply Chain C1 Security Monitoring 

[See Control Blueprints](/control-blueprints)

### Deploying Firebreak and CAF

Deploying Firebreak supports CAF Objective B (Protecting against cyber attack) at the network boundary of operational technology environments. Firebreak enforces physical-layer separation between OT and IT, giving CNI operators evidence of controlled paths for CAF network security outcomes.

Supports outcomes

B2 Identity & Access Control B4 System Security B5 Resilient Networks & Systems 

[Explore Firebreak](/firebreak)

Firevault maps controls to CAF outcomes to help essential service operators evidence their own self-assessment. Full mapping detail is available on request.