Offline Secure Storage for Operational Technology
The Problem
Operational Technology recovery fails when the only copies of PLC programs, HMI projects, SCADA configurations and engineering records sit on connected infrastructure. When IT ransomware bridges across to the OT estate, those engineering shares are encrypted alongside production. Without an intact master copy, plant teams cannot prove the safety case is unchanged, cannot rebuild a line at speed, and cannot give regulators the evidence they need.
The Scenario
A manufacturer is hit by ransomware on a Friday evening. The intrusion starts in IT, reaches the engineering jump host, and encrypts the shared drive holding PLC backups, HMI projects and SCADA configurations. The on-site NAS sits on the same network and is encrypted too. By Monday the line is still down, the safety officer cannot evidence the last validated state of the controllers, and the insurer is asking for the document trail that no longer exists.
The Protection
Golden image and config recovery: PLC programs, HMI projects and SCADA configurations held on physically disconnected media so a line restart is possible after ransomware or hardware failure.
Golden image and config recovery: master copies are tamper-evident and verified, with no shared network path between the production estate and the offline store.
Golden image and config recovery: scalable from a single cell to a multi-site estate, with per-asset versioning so engineers restore the right build for the right controller.
OT ransomware recovery: master copies of engineering data sit beyond reach when IT bridges into OT, removing the leverage that forces a ransom decision.
OT ransomware recovery: offline by default, reachable per session, so recovery teams can pull only what they need, when they need it, without re-exposing the archive.
OT ransomware recovery: clean-room restore path keeps the offline copy isolated from any compromised network during rebuild.
Safety-case evidence custody: validation records, change logs and HAZOP outputs preserved offline so the safety case survives the incident.
Safety-case evidence custody: NIS2 and CAF evidence held in tamper-evident storage, ready to hand to auditors and regulators after an event.
Safety-case evidence custody: long-horizon retention without a cloud account, so engineering records outlast vendor changes and platform churn.
The Outcome
Hours, not weeks: Time to restart the line
With golden images, engineering data and safety-case evidence held in Firevault Offline Secure Storage, the manufacturer restarted production in hours rather than weeks. No ransom was paid, the safety officer could evidence the last validated state of every controller, and the insurer received a complete document trail. Mark Fermor leads the OT custody programme at Firevault.
Protect Yourself
Don't wait for a breach to happen. Secure your critical documents offline today.
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