Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Whys And Hows Of Data Relocation

By Adriana Noton

The digital age has arrived. Sometimes it seems like everything is already computerized, and then a new way to computerize something makes the headlines. Digital data takes up less space, is easier to share and more efficient to catalog than paperwork, and everything from cameras to medical records are being digitized. Since there is so much digital data in use these days, people are going to need data relocation services.

The term data relocation mostly encompasses storage and destruction. Storage is a broad term itself, which includes hard drives, both internal to your computer and exterior, separate ones, DVDs and CDs, flash drives, memory cards and online storage companies. The proper storage solution for one problem might not be the right choice for another, so having these choices gives you options to work with.

Online storage companies are a great way to both back up and share your data. If you want to make sure you have a copy of your files should you computer crash, online storage companies are a good way to go. They also provide a way to share data sets and files, for access by people in different locations. Family videos for your long-distance relatives, for example, can be uploaded to an online storage company and accessed from their home.

When choosing a data storage company, there are certain things to look for. Websites that look through all these criteria for you and rank companies accordingly are available, but you may be able to get a better deal if you do the research yourself. The important variables are easy to use tools and features, a great security system, and good support. Then, of course, you don't want it to cost your life savings.

After you've solved your data storage problems, you'll need to consider data destruction solutions. If you're getting rid of a computer, you'll want to wipe the hard drive so that no one can retrieve your sensitive information. Using the delete options on the computer don't actually remove the file, they just make it so your computer can't find them. A skilled computer professional can still recover these files.

Data destruction software does what is referred to as 'wiping' the hard drive. In this process, the software writes over all your old files multiple times, so that the information is completely erased. These programs can be purchased, or there are free versions available online.

A permanent method of destruction sometimes used when the hard drive is not to be repurposed is called degaussing. This process uses a large, specialized magnet to destroy both the data and the device, preventing anyone from getting to your information.

The method of destruction of media like CDs and DVDs may be familiar. Like confidential paperwork, they can be shredded. This requires an industrial shredder capable of handling these kinds of tasks, though. A company that specialized in data destruction is a good source for these shredders, as well as degaussers for your hard drives.

Going digital makes a lot of things easier. But there's a learning curve. It's really not that complicated, though, and there's a lot of help out there for people trying to learn about data relocation. So, try out some Data Storage companies today and share your videos with family members across the country, or wipe the hard drive on that old machine you've been thinking about selling for months. You'll be glad you did.

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