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Types of Data Storage

Should I store my data in the cloud, locally, or on DVD?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how data should be stored. Most people will opt for a mix of storage types depending on what they need from their data.

The big questions are:

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage has been marketed as a panacea to all your storage needs. The reality is lot more complex. For example sensitive data should always be encrypted before sending it to a cloud provider to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally cloud storage is usually quite expensive.

PROS

CONS

Which Data Should I Store in the Cloud?

Cloud storage is an excellent choice for data that needs to be accessed frequently across multiple devices, but given its cost and security profile you should aim to minimize the amount of data stored in the cloud.

Local Drives

Local drives have gotten very cheap, with 4TB conventional magnetic disk drives going for less than $100 and having an expected lifetime of more than 5 years. That's less than $5 per TB per year. They are also extremely fast by design, meaning you can access and update your data orders of magnitube faster than the other options I've listed.

However local drives are probably the most susceptible to data loss. It is very important to back up important data to other storage options on a regular basis.

PROS

CONS

Which Data Should I Store on Local Drives?

Local drives are best for large files that are accessed very frequently, such as those used by media editing software. If you are a creative who is working with large files, a proper local drive setup is a must.

Optical Media

Short of etching symbols onto granite, optical media like DVDs probably provide the most enduring form of data storage. DVDs can store about 5GB of data for at least 5 years for $0.20, or less than $8 per TB per year. There is also a close cousin of the DVD called an MDISK, which researchers expect to store data without corruption for more than one thousand years.

PROS

CONS

Which Data Should I Store on Optical Media?

Optical media is best for sensitive data that needs to be stored for a long time. Due to its slow read speed, this medium is only appropriate for data that does not need to accessed often. A few examples are backups of family photo albums, private financial records, or records of personal correspondences.

Conclusion

Different types of storage provide different properties. The right storage solution will generally involve multiple types of storage, like keeping commonly used files on local drives and cloud storage while regularly backing up critical data to optical media in case of disaster.


Need more help? I provide both storage consulting and data archival services. Please get in touch!