To tape or not to tape: our 5-minute survey on modern data backup and retention practices

In their recently published paper, Analyzing the Economic Value of LTO Tape for Long-term Data Retention, the Enterprise Strategy Group states, “Nothing is more cost-effective, reliable, or energy-efficient for long-term data retention than a tape in a library slot or on a shelf.” The Group even suggests “it's more than a billion times more likely that you will get hit by lightning in your lifetime than that you will encounter an unrecoverable LTO-7 media error.”

And while I must wonder if this is true, I don’t intend to test the claim!

Today, data retention options include public cloud storage, like AWS and Azure, as well as on-premises disk-based storage – and both options host benefits. Public cloud storage eliminates compatibility issues for longer-term data retention – say if archives or records need to be stored for 30-50 years – and disk-based storage increases Recovery Time Objectives in scenarios like audit requests – think GDPR or other regulatory based audits.

Is your organization still utilizing tape? Have its data retention strategies evolved to cloud or disk-based storage? Are these decisions driven purely by cost?

If you’re a decision-maker, influencer, or user in backup storage and data retention, we’re looking to hear from you. Please take our 5-minute survey and take advantage of the opportunity to win a $200 Amazon e-gift card.