E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
STEVE SANTAMARIA
CEO , FOLIO PHOTONICS
In today ' s digital age , data is at the heart of everything we do . From businesses to non-profits , educational institutions to government agencies and even the military , data plays a critical role in everyday operations . As such , it is essential that those who need access to the data have it available anytime , anywhere and under any condition .
But with great access comes great responsibility and it is equally important to keep that data safe from unauthorised access .
When managing current and archival data , data security and durability must be top concerns for any organisation . It is not enough to think only about today ' s needs ; we must also consider how to keep data secure for decades and centuries to come .
The ideal data storage solution must be equipped with encryption and WORM ( write-once , read-many ) capabilities to ensure that data is tamper-proof and cannot be modified or deleted . Additionally , the solution must consume little power and require minimal climate control , making it costeffective and environmentally friendly .
The data storage solution must also be impervious to external threats such as EMPs , salt water , high temperatures and altitudes . It must be durable enough to withstand any physical disaster , such as fires or floods , to ensure that the data remains intact .
Moreover , all archive solutions must have a media life of at least a singular lifetime and are infinitely backwards compatible , ensuring that data remains accessible – even as technology changes . But the most critical aspect of data storage is its ability to be air-gapped .
Air-gapping refers to a literal gap of air between the protection system and the protected system . It is commonly known as a security measure that isolates a computer or network from the Internet or any other network .
While air-gapped media cannot prevent the infiltration of malware , it can prevent the detonation or limit the blast radius of media / systems that are affected by the malicious code . It is considered the most prolific way to ensure your organisation contains threats and can trust the validity of data stored on other air-gapped media . Airgapping is particularly crucial for sensitive data such as classified information , financial records or medical records .
Bottom-line , data security and durability are critical factors to consider when managing data . It is not enough to prioritise accessibility and ease of use ; we must also prioritise the safety and integrity of our data .
The ideal data storage solution must be equipped with encryption and WORM capabilities , consume minimal power , be durable enough to withstand physical disasters and be air-gapped to prevent mass data loss . By considering these factors , organisations can ensure the safety and longevity of their data , enabling them to operate efficiently and effectively for decades to come .
26 www . intelligenthealth . tech