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Storage Buyer's Guide

A decision-maker's guide to enterprise-scale offline storage infrastructure. Learn how Storage by Firevault delivers the '0' in your 3-2-1-0 backup strategy.

15 min read
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Executive Summary

Who this guide is for: IT Directors, Infrastructure Managers, CISOs, and enterprise architects responsible for data protection at scale.

What you will learn: How Storage by Firevault provides enterprise-grade offline storage infrastructure, what differentiates it from traditional backup, and how to evaluate whether it fits your architecture.

Key takeaway: Storage is the '0' in the 3-2-1-0 model. It is the offline, unreachable layer that ensures recovery even when everything else is compromised.

What is Storage?

Storage by Firevault is a scalable, offline storage system designed to keep enterprise workloads out of reach from breaches, ransomware, and credential theft.

Core characteristics:

  • Enterprise capacity: Starting at 8TB, expandable in 8TB steps
  • Offline by default: Physical disconnection, not software controls
  • Full read/write access: Two-way data movement during authorised windows
  • Your hardware: Dedicated infrastructure you legally own

What Storage is NOT

Storage is explicitly not:

  • Not cloud backup or SaaS: No standing connectivity, no shared tenancy
  • Not a data diode or write-only vault: Full two-way access when authorised
  • Not always-online infrastructure: Offline is the default state
  • Not software-only protection: Physical disconnection at the wire level

Who is Storage For?

Storage is designed for organisations that:

  • Hold crown jewel data (IP, customer records, operational systems)
  • Require proven offline backup for compliance or insurance
  • Need recovery assurance independent of production systems
  • Operate in sectors where ransomware is an existential threat

The Problem Storage Solves

Traditional backup fails when attackers have persistent access. Cloud backups can be encrypted alongside production data. Air-gapped tapes require physical logistics. Neither provides rapid, verified recovery.

Storage provides the missing layer: an offline copy that is physically unreachable until you need it, with controlled connectivity for recovery.

The 3-2-1-0 Model

Industry best practice recommends:

  • 3 copies of data
  • 2 different storage types
  • 1 offsite copy
  • 0 online exposure for recovery copy

Storage becomes that '0'. The offline layer that ensures recovery even when everything else is compromised.

How Storage Works

  1. Data ingestion: Connect via API or SFTP during authorised windows
  2. Verification: Data integrity checks confirm successful transfer
  3. Disconnection: Physical isolation until next authorised session
  4. Recovery: Controlled reconnection for data retrieval when needed

Deployment Options

  • Firevault Bunkers: Hosted in our secure colocation facilities
  • On-premise: Deployed in your own data centre
  • Hybrid: Split deployment for geographic resilience

Connectivity Options

Storage supports multiple connectivity methods:

  • REST API for programmatic access
  • SFTP for file-based workflows
  • Scheduled connection windows
  • On-demand session requests

Security and Compliance

Storage supports compliance with:

  • NIST CSF and NIST 800-53
  • ISO/IEC 27001
  • GDPR Article 32
  • NIS2 resilience requirements
  • Sector-specific regulations (FCA, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)

Ownership Model

With Storage, you own the hardware:

  • Legal ownership of systems and data
  • Legal Recovery Assignment documentation
  • No third-party access (not even Firevault when offline)

Pricing

Storage pricing is based on capacity, deployment model, and service level. Enterprise pricing requires a discovery call to assess your specific requirements.

Getting Started

  1. Architecture review: Assess your data protection requirements
  2. Capacity planning: Determine storage requirements
  3. Deployment design: Select location and connectivity
  4. Provisioning: Hardware allocation and configuration
  5. Integration: Connect to your backup workflows

Next Steps

If your organisation needs proven offline storage for crown jewel data, book a technical consultation to discuss your architecture.

Mark Fermor
David Bailey
Kenny Phipps
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