--- title: Silent Cubes date: 2026-03-12T08:46:00+01:00 author: Hannes Heckel canonical_url: "https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes" section: Product Pages --- Compliant Archiving • Hardware WORM • Made in Europe # Silent Cubes. For all data that must not be lost under any circumstances. Silent Cubes use hardware WORM technology to protect your most valuable data against tampering and loss. They are ideal for audit-proof archiving and take the strain off your backup and recovery processes. **Overview** • [Components](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes/components) • [Software](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes/software) • [Partner](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/partner) • [CARE](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/care) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) [Topic: IT compliance ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/blog/compliance "Topic: IT compliance") ![SCDS HU Pro HWWORM | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/fast/SCDS-HUProHWWORM.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1772121892&s=9e9f51c50282d0054642755ea718461b) #### Zero Loss by Design Designed without compromise to ensure no data is lost. Hardware WORM sealing makes manipulation and deletion impossible. ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) #### Audit-proof & GDPR-compliant Suitable for audit-proof archiving. GDPR-compliant data retention – including deletion. ### GDPR The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation, EU 2016/679) is the European regulation for the protection of personal data — particularly relevant for IT infrastructure in Art. 5 (principles), Art. 17 (right to erasure), Art. 28 (processors) and Art. 32 (security of processing). [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/gdpr) #### Modular and scalable Start with just a few terabytes. Scale up as needed, at any time, right up to the petabyte range. #### Certified for your software Standard integration protocols, including support for legacy integrations for versioning and triggered archiving. #### Managed Storage All-inclusive [CARE](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/care) contract: up to 10 years of maintenance and support. version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? #### Made in Europe [Appliance](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes/components) from a German manufacturer. Managed with FAST LTA CARE. --- ###### Companies, public authorities and organisations rely on Silent Cubes ![GNS | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/GNS.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142041&s=c3a00e3a9057d5ad88f040ee8facbb6c)![STABILO International Gmb H | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/STABILO-International-GmbH.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142064&s=c63b1d8ce98de2a4b1d3bf27c8fd8f26)![Handwerkskammer Halle Saale | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/Handwerkskammer-Halle-Saale.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142041&s=d5f9e8153cda018d0b7d40b9621d3167)![Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/Universita%CC%88tsklinikum_Du%CC%88sseldorf.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142068&s=d96b3523afec2dc453f9c895342b8c99) ![GNS | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/GNS.jpg?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142041&s=c3a00e3a9057d5ad88f040ee8facbb6c) ![STABILO International Gmb H | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/STABILO-International-GmbH.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142064&s=c63b1d8ce98de2a4b1d3bf27c8fd8f26) ![Handwerkskammer Halle Saale | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/Handwerkskammer-Halle-Saale.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142041&s=d5f9e8153cda018d0b7d40b9621d3167) ![Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/Universita%CC%88tsklinikum_Du%CC%88sseldorf.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1775142068&s=d96b3523afec2dc453f9c895342b8c99) ## Applications For over 17 years, Silent Cubes have been the standard for audit-proof archiving in German hospitals and public institutions. However, WORM archiving is also a good way to reduce the load on your backup system. ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) [### Compliant archiving Some data requires a higher level of protection than others. Regulatory compliance and audit-proofing are not limited to KRITIS organisations. ###### why Silent Cubes Silent Cubes use hardware WORM technology to seal written data. This ensures that no data can be tampered with or accidentally deleted. ###### Target groups Hospitals & X-ray services • Government bodies & public institutions • Finance & Legal • Companies according to GoDB [Find out more ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/solutions/compliant-archiving "Find out more")](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/solutions/compliant-archiving "Find out more") [### Active WORM archive Static data clogs up backups and requires time-consuming restores. Offloading or copying unstructured data to a WORM archive reduces the burden on backup and recovery systems. ###### why Silent Bricks This only works if the WORM archive is truly secure enough that no additional backup is required. Silent Cubes have a proven track record. ###### Target groups Organisations, institutions and public authorities with a large volume of unstructured data that rarely or never changes, e.g. on file servers. [Find out more ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/solutions/data-protection "Find out more")](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/solutions/data-protection "Find out more") ## System architecture. Flexible and modular. Silent Cubes are particularly flexible and future-proof thanks to the separation of the compute and storage components. Current storage modules can be integrated into existing systems to ensure smooth, long-term operation. When replacing a head unit with a newer model, all data is retained. [Components ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes/components "Components") ### Head Unit (Pro) The head unit is the control centre of the Silent Cube storage system. It acts as an interface to and from the archiving software. ###### Applications Head Unit: Small installations with a few terabytes and non-critical performance requirements Head Unit Pro: Scalable archive systems up to the petabyte range, active WORM archives ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### Silent Cube DS (Pro) Data is stored on the Silent Cube DS memory modules in an audit-proof manner and is WORM-sealed. ###### Applications From a few terabytes up to petabytes • Legally compliant archiving from DMS/ECM, PACS/HIS/RIS and other archiving systems • Active WORM archives ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ## Silent Cubes Software. Connected to your archiving system. In the archiving sector in particular, integrating storage with archiving software can be a complex process. Many systems are several years old and were originally developed exclusively for other storage technologies or systems that are no longer in use today. With a range of volume types and standard protocols, our software ensures that your archive continues to function. [Software ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/products/silent-cubes/software "Software") ![Settings Retention Rules | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/fast/Settings-_-Retention-Rules.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1779362443&s=579125a92b9f642823f26c0840527c30) ## CARE. A comprehensive, hassle-free service for your storage. We consider it our responsibility to protect your data from loss. Our storage systems are therefore designed from the outset to offer a long service life and low maintenance requirements. Should the worst come to the worst, the CARE maintenance contract provides you with comprehensive cover for up to 10 years at fixed rates. 24/7 support is also available on request. [Mehr zu CARE ](https://www.fast-lta.de/de/produkte/care "Mehr zu CARE") --- ## Further reading ![Logo mrws goss rgb | FAST LTA](https://fast-lta.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/logos/Referenzen/Logo_mrws_goss_rgb.png?w=960&q=80&auto=format%2Cavif&fit=crop&dm=1777291117&s=c66abf40919d942285372cbf04ebd07b)»About 90 percent of the operating costs could be saved compared to the externally hosted system.« Peter Brechtel Head of Global IT Infrastructure [Fallstudie lesen ](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/customers/manroland-goss-web-systems-gmbh-2 "manroland Goss web systems GmbH") ## Questions and answers #### What is the difference between hardware WORM and software WORM? Software WORM stores data and then applies a software-based lock designed to prevent users from altering the data. However, this lock remains in place only as long as the software is correctly configured and no user with sufficient rights deactivates it. Hardware WORM — as with Silent Cubes — applies write protection directly within the storage controller at the device level. This protection exists independently of the operating system, firmware, drivers or user privileges. It cannot be removed by software, by an administrator or by a ransomware attack. For auditors and inspectors, this is the crucial difference: with hardware WORM, immutability is a physical property, not a policy. ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) Full article #### Do Silent Cubes meet the requirements of the GoBD and the HGB? Yes. The GoBD requires that tax-relevant documents must be tamper-proof, complete, traceable and available for the statutory retention period of six or ten years. Silent Cubes meet these requirements through hardware-based tamper-proofing, comprehensive access logs and configurable retention periods. The German Commercial Code (HGB, Sections 238, 257) imposes comparable requirements on the retention of commercial records and business correspondence. Silent Cubes are certified and integrated as a storage platform in several GoBD-compliant DMS and archiving solutions. ### GoBD The GoBD (Principles for the Proper Management and Storage of Books, Records and Documents in Electronic Form as well as Data Access) is a German Federal Ministry of Finance letter that specifies how tax-relevant documents must be archived electronically in Germany — particularly regarding immutability, completeness and auditability. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/gobd) ### GoBD The GoBD (Principles for the Proper Management and Storage of Books, Records and Documents in Electronic Form as well as Data Access) is a German Federal Ministry of Finance letter that specifies how tax-relevant documents must be archived electronically in Germany — particularly regarding immutability, completeness and auditability. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/gobd) #### How long can data be stored on Silent Cubes? Silent Cubes support configurable retention periods — ranging from the ten-year period required under the GoBD, through the 30-year retention obligation under Section 10 of the X-ray Ordinance, to individually defined periods for specific document classes. The hardware WORM lock remains in place for the entire configured period. Once the retention period has expired, data can be deleted in a controlled and logged manner. The storage media themselves are designed for a service life of at least 30 years. ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) ### GoBD The GoBD (Principles for the Proper Management and Storage of Books, Records and Documents in Electronic Form as well as Data Access) is a German Federal Ministry of Finance letter that specifies how tax-relevant documents must be archived electronically in Germany — particularly regarding immutability, completeness and auditability. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/gobd) ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) #### Can Silent Cubes be used in VMware environments? Yes. In addition to the physical Silent Cube DS and Silent Cube DS Pro modules, FAST LTA offers a VMware version that can be operated in virtualised infrastructures. The archiving functions, compliance features and WORM mechanisms are also fully available in the VMware environment. A combination of physical and virtualised Silent Cube units is possible and is used in hybrid data centre environments. ### WORM WORM (Write Once, Read Many) refers to a storage principle in which data is written once and can technically no longer be altered or deleted — in hardware WORM, this immutability is a physical property of the storage controller, independent of software, operating system or user privileges. [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/worm) #### How is data deleted once the retention period has expired? Once the configured retention period has expired, the system flags the data record for controlled deletion. Deletion does not take place automatically but must be actively initiated — this prevents data from being accidentally deleted prematurely. The entire process is logged and can be traced for audit purposes. This procedure complies with the requirements of the GDPR (Article 17: Right to erasure). ### GDPR The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation, EU 2016/679) is the European regulation for the protection of personal data — particularly relevant for IT infrastructure in Art. 5 (principles), Art. 17 (right to erasure), Art. 28 (processors) and Art. 32 (security of processing). [Mehr erfahren →](https://www.fast-lta.de/en/glossary/gdpr)