The backup tape is not dead.

The backup tape is not dead.

This is something we’ve known for a long time now.

In today’s digital landscape, more services are being moved off-prem and into the cloud. This shift is driven by the need for more scalable, flexible, and cost-effective storage solutions. Cloud storage offers the advantage of being easily accessible from anywhere, reducing the need for physical storage infrastructure. Despite these advantages, tape media is essential for robust data protection, particularly for businesses needing offline, air-gapped backups against cyber threats. For this reason, backup tape is not dead! 

The cost of lost data can be staggering, in essence far greater than the cost of putting in place a robust data protection plan. In addition to costs from downtime, legal liability is another problematic factor that could cause distress when data is not properly managed. To properly protect your company and your customer’s data, tape is an important part of the solution. 

The Benefits of Backup Tape

The durability of tape media is also second to none when stored correctly. This is because tape media is housed inside a protective plastic cartridge, which minimises the risk of damage from scratches, fingerprints, and other environmental factors. When stored in optimal conditions, tape media can last for over 30 years, making it an excellent choice for long-term data retention. 

However, tape drives and libraries come with their own set of challenges. They are often expensive to purchase and maintain, requiring significant upfront investment. Additionally, the management of tape media can be time-consuming. This includes tasks such as cataloguing, storing, and periodically testing the tapes to ensure data integrity.

When it comes to modern backups we see two main benefits if combined with disk and cloud solutions, as first and second targets. 

• Air-gapped backups – no electronic attack can compromise offline media.  When stored with a trusted third-party provider such a TIMG, offsite, offline media can even protect against insider threats.
• Archive Storage – many companies have requirements to store some or all backups for periods of up to seven years – or longer.  Even the cheapest Cloud Archive Storage cannot compete with the per GB cost of tape. 

The durability of tape media is also second to none when stored correctly. Tape drives and libraries are costly and time-consuming to manage, with more services moving to the cloud. However, a solid data protection plan and tape-as-a-service solution will ensure your organization remains robust and resilient against data threats. Leveraging Veeam’s award-winning Platform, our tape-as-a-service solution ensures the protection of your data with secure backups replicated to our data centres. The backup tape is not dead!