Data storage needs are more complex than ever. Businesses must decide whether to use tape storage as a primary or secondary solution, and the answer depends on your specific needs. In this post, we’ll break down the advantages of both approaches and how you can optimise your storage strategy.

Primary Storage with Tape: Is it Right for You?

Traditionally, tape has been viewed as a secondary storage option, primarily for archiving and backup. However, with the latest advancements in LTO technology, tape is increasingly being used as primary storage for businesses that require long-term retention of large data sets. LTO-9 and LTO-10 offer incredible durability, capacity, and cost-efficiency, making them ideal for organisations with high storage needs and a focus on security.

Benefits of Using Tape as Primary Storage:

• Long-term cost efficiency
• Scalability for growing data needs
• Data durability and security
• Air-gap protection against cyber threats

Secondary Storage with Tape: Still a Reliable Option
Even if you’re not using tape as your primary storage device, it remains a critical tool for businesses looking for secure, cost-effective secondary storage solutions. Many businesses leverage tape for backup, disaster recovery, and archival purposes. LTO tapes are known for their reliability, offering an immutable, air-gapped solution that protects data from ransomware and other cyber threats.

Benefits of Using Tape as Secondary Storage:

• Cost-effective backup for disaster recovery
• Long-term archiving for compliance and regulatory needs
• Fast retrieval of archived data
• Protection against cyber attacks (due to air-gap nature)

Which Option Is Best for Your Business?
Deciding between using tape as a primary or secondary device depends on your data storage goals, the volume of data, and your long-term strategy. At Fortuna Data, we can help you assess your needs and design a tailored solution that uses the best combination of tape, disk, and cloud storage to keep your business agile and secure.

Smarter,  strategic thinking.