--- title: "OSS Cyber Essentials: Offline Secure Storage | Firevault" description: "Strengthen your Cyber Essentials certification by demonstrating a robust, physically separate data protection strategy that goes beyond the baseline. Explore." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@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. 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Explore.", "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-solutions.jpg" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions/oss/compliance/cyber-essentials#breadcrumb" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions/oss/compliance/cyber-essentials#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fire-vault.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Solutions", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Oss", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions/oss" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Compliance", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions/oss/compliance" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "OSS Cyber Essentials: Offline Secure Storage", "item": "https://fire-vault.com/solutions/oss/compliance/cyber-essentials" } ] } ] --- 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 # Cyber Essentials with Offline Secure Storage Cyber Essentials provides baseline security controls. Offline Secure Storage (OSS) goes further, removing your most sensitive data from the attack surface entirely. - Baseline-only control gaps - Post-certification breach - Government contract exposure - Sensitive-data over-reach 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, Cyber Essentials certified at time of breach £14M ICO fine to Capita, Cyber Essentials certified at time of breach ICO, October 2025 02 Estimated cost of M&S ransomware despite baseline controls £300M Estimated cost of M&S ransomware despite baseline controls Reuters, 2025 03 Public sector cyber incidents in 2024 327 Public sector cyber incidents in 2024 NCSC Annual Review, 2025 04 People affected in single Co-op breach 6.5M People affected in single Co-op breach BBC News, 2025 The Gap ## Cyber Essentials is a baseline, not a ceiling. 01 ### Baseline Controls Cyber Essentials covers firewalls, patching, and access controls, but not physical protection. 02 ### Beyond the Perimeter Even with Cyber Essentials Plus, connected data remains reachable by determined attackers. 03 ### Government Contracts Many government contracts now require Cyber Essentials Plus as a minimum. The reality ## Baseline certification does not prevent breaches. 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 Despite Holding Cyber Essentials Certification Capita held baseline certifications at the time of its breach. The ICO still fined the company £14 million, demonstrating that Cyber Essentials without physical protection is insufficient for sensitive data. ICO, October 2025 02 ### M&S: £300M Loss Despite Baseline Security Controls Marks and Spencer had established security controls in place. Attackers bypassed them via a compromised third party and deployed DragonForce ransomware, shutting down online operations for months. Reuters, 2025 03 ### Co-op: 6.5 Million Records Stolen Despite Security Measures The Co-op had security measures in place but attackers still exfiltrated personal data of all 6.5 million members, demonstrating that connected data remains reachable regardless of baseline controls. BBC News, 2025 We Think This Is Hard to Ignore > The Co-op had Cyber Essentials certification when attackers exfiltrated 6.5 million members' personal data. Baseline controls protect the perimeter, but data inside the perimeter was still reachable. At Firevault, sensitive data is removed from the certified perimeter entirely, because protection beyond baseline starts with physical disconnection. How OSS Complements ## Go beyond baseline with physical protection. Offline Secure Storage (OSS) complements Cyber Essentials by removing the most sensitive data from the certified perimeter entirely. - Sensitive data removed from the attack surface entirely - Reduces scope of Cyber Essentials certification - Supports government contract requirements - Physical protection exceeds baseline controls Remove Step 1 Disconnect Step 2 Retrieve Step 3 #### Take Sensitive Data Off the Certified Perimeter Step 1 of 3 Sensitive data is taken off the certified perimeter and written to physically disconnected RAID 1 drives inside a Firevault Bunker. This reduces the scope of what Cyber Essentials must protect and removes the most sensitive assets entirely. 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)[ ### GDPR Compliance Physical disconnection as appropriate measure. Learn more about GDPR Compliance ](/solutions/oss/compliance/gdpr) 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.