Off-site tape storage?

[Jerry Feldman]

I'm not on the BBLISA list, but  I have had some experience with storing 
tapes. The main issue is the environment where the tapes are stored. 
Many companies need to store tapes for years for legal reasons. So, 
they need to make sure the environment is clean and cool. The second 
is how they keep track of tapes (and disks, etc). And a third is access to 
the tape library (both access to the tapes themselves as well as the 
records). I worked for a bank which had its own offsite storage facility at 
the other end of the parking lot. I was involved to sdome degree with the 
storage of tapes about 15 years ago at Higher Order Software in 
Cambridge and Cadmus in Lowell. essentially, offsite storage is needed 
for disaster recovery, long term storage of data, and protection from 
damage by your own employees. When considering tape storage, most 
people think in terms of fire, but I have seen tapes damaged by cigarette 
smoke. I have seen computer operators mount the wrong tapes or simply 
scratch old tapes that should have been saved. A home basement or 
personal storage facility is not adequate for storing tapes for long periods 
of time. Additionally, access to the data needs to be restricted. The 
company should have its own procedures for the safeguarding of data, 
but the offsite storage company should also have strict rules on which of 
its employees can access tapes, and must have an access list provided 
by the company. 

Additionally, these storage companies also have facilities to test the 
tapes and to recover data on damaged tapes and disks. 


On 5 Feb 2001, at 12:00, Scott Ehrlich wrote:

> Hello to all:
> 
> The company I work for is looking for a safe and secure off-site location
> to store backup tapes (50 - 60 tapes at present).  We're considering Iron
> Mountain, but have heard rumors of problems with their procedures.  If
> people on the lists can email me directly of your recommendations, I'll be
> happy to summarize.
> 
> I will also summarize the laptop backup responses I recently received
> (thanks to all for those!)
> 
> Scott
> 
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Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Associate Director
Boston Linux and Unix user group
http://www.blu.org
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