Data Module #6: Storage, Backup, & Security

Data storage refers to the ways your data are saved or kept. While you are actively working with your data, the convenience of accessing it will factor into your storage decisions. For long-term use, convenience may be less important than security or preservation. You should also have storage plans for your backup copies. While you are a student at Macalester, your Google Drive is an excellent storage medium because there is no limit on the amount you can store there, and most file types are acceptable. Note that upon leaving Macalester you would need to develop a different storage method if you wish to continue accessing your data files.

The type and size of your data may drive your decisions about how you store them. For example, a very large data set would limit the places you could store it. Most data can be stored in a variety of places, such as paper, cloud storage, DVDs, etc.

Here are some common methods for storing various data types:

• Audio recordings: cassettes, MiniDV, cloud storage
• Video recordings: DVD, Blu-Ray, cloud storage
• Photographs: paper, SD card, cloud storage
• Text: paper, cloud storage

These different storage mediums may have size and file type limitations. You should also consider security issues covered later in this module.

image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cloud-security-internet-technology-3461414/ by kreatikar under pixabay license