Leons From Star Trek: Data Backup in the World of the Future by Jeremy Suratt

Your business needs effective data backup to ensure that nothing goes missing in the event of a natural disaster or malicious attack. While tape storage remains the most common and cost-effective way for enterprise and midsize businesses to backup information, disk and cloud-based storage are also popular.

When it comes to choosing a backup solution that not only works in the short term but will serve your company well in the future, where better to look than science fiction standby Star Trek: The Next Generation (ST:TNG), which has not only spawned real-world technologies, but also contains one of the most interesting data backups ever seen on television: Commander Data. What can your company learn from this famous, fictional android?

Tape Storage Isn't Dead, Even in the 24th Century

Commander Data is essentially a walking, talking magnetic tape drive. His positronic brain functions like a massive tape, capable of storing 100 petabytes of information.

It Starts with Reliable Storage

While Data can access and process information he already has stored, downloading new files requires a direct interface with the ship's computers. In the few episodes where unknown entities interfaced with Data directly and bypassed his positronic link, it either rendered Data inoperable or caused gaps in his memory. (Justice, S1EP4; Conundrum, S5EP14). Company backups follow the same rule: Backing up to tape is a best practice with its high reliability.

Phasers to Stun

It's also worth noting that the Enterprise's tape storage solution traveled on Starfleet's flagship, which was equipped with state-of-the-art defenses. And even if enemies got their hands on Data, he wasn't going down without a fight, since physical strength and access to advanced weaponry made him a formidable foe. This has implications for business backups: Securing information isn't enough-making sure it is sercurely transported is just as crucial.

Starfleet Reliability

While disasters and diseases on-board the Enterprise could render the human crew immobile or drain power from the local computer, reliable old Data kept on-going. Tape storage in a secure location offers the same advantage: Even if a local server crashes or loses power, the backup soldiers on.

Data backup and recovery services that combine secure storage, dedicated transportation and the ability to access information as needed represent the way forward for businesses in need of a reliable recovery solution. But while best practices may evolve over time, Star Trek's Commander Data offers some unconventional wisdom about the ongoing usefulness of tape backups.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2013/service-lines/data-backup-and-recov...
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