Tape storage stands out as the most economical and secure option for long-term data retention, requiring minimal power consumption. It plays a pivotal role in mitigating cybersecurity risks, with major software companies enhancing tape storage to safeguard critical data.
Why Tape Storage Matters
Tape storage employs magnetic tape as a medium for data storage, serving not only as a backup in data failure scenarios but also as a reliable means to archive data for extended periods. Tape storage offers robust security against data breaches, with seamless data recovery from any data ONTAP release. It excels in large-capacity data storage, and since tapes are offline, they eliminate the vulnerability to cyber threats like ransomware.
A notable software, Linear Tape File System (LTFS), simplifies data access on magnetic tapes. Users can directly interact with tape media, similar to handling data on a traditional HDD, by executing files with a double-click or dragging and dropping them on a PC screen.
Several global companies provide advanced tape storage solutions, including Quantum Corporation, Oracle Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Spectra Logic Corporation, Dell Technologies Inc, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Qstar Technologies, Inc, Qualstar Corp, Lenovo, and Overland Tandberg.
IBM LTO 9 Tape Technology for the Hybrid Cloud
IBM, a prominent American multinational technology corporation, offers energy-efficient, cyber-resilient tape storage with airgap and long-term retention at a cost-effective rate. This technology, boasting two decades of data protection experience and storage capacity, ensures data security and guards against various cyber threats.
IBM LTO 9 Tape technology provides numerous benefits, including:
- Powerful Data Protection: A cost-effective tape-based storage solution equipped with robust data protection to counter cyberattacks.
- Expansive Technology: Offers a complete range of tape capabilities, including autoloaders, libraries, drivers, virtual tape systems, and compatibility with IBM Spectrum Archive Software.
- Air-Gapped Infrastructure: Creates data copies, reducing the risk of ransomware attacks, and makes it nearly impossible for hackers to breach the copy.
- Sustainability: Reduces carbon footprint through extended product lifecycles and low-embedded operational solutions, contributing to sustainability initiatives.
StorageTek Tape Libraries by Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation, a leading American multinational computer technology corporation, provides StorageTek tape libraries to shield critical data from cyberattacks through offline storage. These libraries, characterized by automation and scalability, empower IT teams to safeguard data and optimize data center space for offline archiving and protection.
StorageTek tape libraries offer centralized, simplified administration, enabling the management of up to 32 libraries from a single console. Their compatibility with various mainframes enhances flexibility for tape library utilization across different host environments.
The libraries feature a high-availability architecture, reducing unplanned downtime with redundant components. Hot-swappable robotics and power supplies eliminate downtime related to repairs, and optional dual or multi-control path connectivity enhances data uptime and availability.
Scalar Tape Libraries by Quantum Corporation
Quantum Corporation specializes in data storage, protection, and management solutions, particularly for video and unstructured data throughout the data lifecycle. Their Scalar Tape libraries provide secure, cost-effective long-term data storage with cybersecurity measures.
These tape libraries come in compact designs that can scale from three rack units and 25 slots to over 20 racks in size. Key benefits of Scalar Tape Libraries include:
- Security and Data Integrity: Offering 25 unique security features, ensuring data security, encryption, cybersecurity measures, and data integrity.
- Low Cost and Long-Term Storage: Providing cost-efficient, long-term solutions with space-efficient designs, low diagnostic and analytics costs, automated monitoring and reporting, and integration with cloud-based AIOps software to reduce administrative time.
- Downtime Minimization: Comprehensive high-availability features, proactive diagnostics, and environmental and power monitoring to proactively address potential issues.
The Growing Importance of Tape Storage
The need for tape storage is poised to increase, especially since the release of the ninth generation of the LTO specification in 2021, known as LTO-9. LTO-9 offers significantly enhanced capacity and performance compared to its predecessor, LTO-8. With native capacities of 18 TB and the ability to store up to 45 TB of compressed data, LTO-9 tapes provide faster read speeds, potentially driving greater adoption of tape storage solutions for secure and accessible data storage.
Market Insights
The global tape storage market was valued at USD 4.33 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 9.44 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by the exponential increase in data volumes and the heightened adoption of tape storage solutions among enterprises.
The rising threat of data breaches and ransomware attacks on organizations is a significant catalyst for this market expansion. The demand for data center services across various industries further fuels the need for tape storage systems. Large enterprises are increasingly turning to tape storage for cyber security and efficient data access and archiving. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as higher data volumes in LTO systems, are expected to open new opportunities for tape storage systems in the forecast period.
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