12.05.2022 Executive Data Bytes – Data storage - Where does all the data go?

Executive Data Bytes

Tech analysis for the busy executive.

Welcome to another edition of Executive Data Bytes! You are probably familiar with some type of data storage. In fact, most people have at least some data stored on the cloud. But do you actually know where your data is once it’s in “the cloud”? This week, we are answering the question, “Where does all the data go?”. 

Focus piece: “What is Data Storage? Data Storage Types & Attributes”

Executive Summary

Data storage helps to protect your company's important files and historical archive of documents and helps to ensure that your files can be recovered if a major loss occurs. This article from CDW answers the question, "How can data storage protect and preserve my company's proprietary information?".

Key Takeaways

• Data storage means preserving files digitally and saving them in a storage system for future use. It can occur on physical hard drives, disk drives, USB drives, or virtually in the cloud. The important thing is that your files are backed up and easily available should your systems ever crash beyond repair.
• There are two main categories of data storage, direct attached storage and network attached storage. Many devices fit into each of these categories, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
• The world of data storage is continuously evolving, and the latest innovations can provide comprehensive solutions for businesses that need to store a large volume of sensitive information.
• The future of data storage seems to be heading away from traditional tiered units in favor of combined services that give organizations more control over their data and eliminate the need for a large IT staff.

Focus piece: “Why It Matters Where Company Data Is Stored”

Executive Summary

Cloud technologies make it easy to store data in the cloud without the need for physical storage. But businesses have lost some control over where their data is stored. This Expert Insights blog explains how you can stay in control of your data.

Key Takeaways

• Does It Matter Where Company Data Is Stored? Yes! Today there are many legal regulations which means that it’s very important for companies to know where their data is.
• What Can Happen If You Experience Data Loss? Data loss can be costly and damaging to a brand. The British Chambers of Commerce found that 93% of companies that suffer data loss for more than ten days file for bankruptcy.
• How To Stay Control Of Your Data: To prevent data loss, It is crucial for companies to have security systems in place to secure and back up their data.

If your corporate data is being hosted in the cloud, it's important to know where it's going to be stored physically. Switzerland and Singapore are the safest countries to store data.

Focus piece: “How Cloud Storage Works” 

Executive Summary

Cloud storage refers to saving data to a remote database instead of to your computer's hard drive. It allows you to get your data from any location that has Internet access, and you can allow other people to access the data. To learn more about cloud storage, check out this article from HowStuffWorks.

Key Takeaways

• There are hundreds of different cloud storage systems, some of which are small operations, while others are so large they can fill up an entire warehouse.
• Cloud storage systems generally rely on hundreds of data servers. Because computers occasionally require maintenance or repair, it's important to store the same information on multiple machines.
• The two biggest concerns about cloud storage are reliability and security. Clients aren't likely to entrust their data to another company without a guarantee that they'll be able to access their information whenever they want and no one else will be able to get at it.
• Cloud systems use encryption, authentication, and authorization to protect the information stored on the system. Hackers typically don't have access to the computer processing power needed to decode encrypted information.

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