Backup and Recovery Articles
Magnetic Tape Disadvantages
Backing up enterprise data using magnetic tape is becoming less popular due to several disadvantages of magnetic tape backups. In this article we discuss several reasons why tape backups are not optimal.
Fragile
Tape, in contrast to disk, is physically delicate and easily compromised by environmental factors such as heat, humidity, and magnetic interference.
Must Be Replaced Frequently
Tape cartridges must be replaced frequently (every 6-12 months).
High Failure Rates
Tape’s innate sensitivity contributes to high failure rates. Backup and recovery experts estimate that anywhere from 42 to 71 percent of tape restores fail.
Vulnerable to Theft
Even when magnetic tape backups are successful, tapes themselves are subject to loss or theft, and may be in the possession of an employee or vendor unable to reach a recovery site.
Data Is Not Encrypted
Finally, tape backups are rarely encrypted, which means that precious enterprise data is even more at risk.
The bottomline? Even when physical backup and restoration processes succeed, tape may not prove to be as timely and appropriate a medium for data storage as disk.
