Are Tape Backups Still Used in 2024? Cloud Storage

Key Takeaways: Tape Backup Storage

Tape backups, also called tape drives, are an older technology still in use today — mainly in businesses with long-term data storage needs.
The most common use for tape backups is to store archival data that is no longer accessed regularly.
Tape drives have several advantages and disadvantages, such as cost. Though the cost per gigabyte is low, owning and operating a tape backup can be expensive.

Facts & Expert Analysis About Tape Backups:

The ’50s: Magnetic tape technology was first developed in the late 1920s for audio recording and playback. However, it was not until the 1950s that magnetic tapes were first used to record computer data.
Magnetic attraction: The tape used for data storage has a thin layer of magnetic coating onto which data can be recorded. Conversely, a magnet can damage the data on a tape, and a degausser can completely erase the data on a tape drive — or on a hard disk, for that matter.
Almost a mile: Some tape backups can reach up to 1,035 meters in length, or 3,395 feet — equivalent to almost three-quarters of a mile.

Before the advent of relatively recent technologies such as hard disk drives and cloud-based services, tape drives or tape backups were the most common way to record and store data. They are now considered an older technology, which begs the question: Are tape backups still used today?

Tape backups are not as fast or as effective as the best online backup services. However, that does not mean tape drives are not useful for certain cases or customers. Before we look at the ways tape backups are still used today, it is important to understand what a tape backup is and how it is used.

Meet the experts

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Jason Stagnitto (Writer)

Jason Stagnitto is a seasoned writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in cloud storage and online backup, and contributing to Cloudwards for over a year. Holding a Masters in IT from SNHU and a Bachelors in English and Historical and Political Studies from Chaminade University, Jason’s extensive educational background is complemented by his professional writing stints for platforms like Dogtown Media and CBT Nuggets. Beyond his technical expertise, he harbors a love for fantasy and sci-fi literature, movies, and a keen focus on health and well-being.

More about Jason Stagnitto

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Aleksander Hougen (Co-Chief Editor)

Aleksander Hougen, the co-chief editor at Cloudwards, is an expert in cloud backup and related technologies. With a solid academic background in software engineering, including a Bachelor’s and a Postgraduate Certificate, Aleksander offers a profound understanding of cloud computing, data management and digital security. His expertise extends to cloud storage solutions, secure data storage and the broader spectrum of cloud services. His educational background enables him to demystify technical topics, making them accessible and empowering for technology enthusiasts.

More about Aleksander Hougen

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

05/31/2024 Facts checked

This article was updated to capture the modern-day use cases of tape drives and their advantages and disadvantages.
updates

What Is a Tape Backup?

A tape backup, also called a tape drive, is a data storage device that uses magnetic tape to record data. In other words, it copies backup data. A tape drive can also read data, so you can access it again later on. Tape drives are mainly used to store archival data, which we will get into later in the article.

The main difference between a tape drive and a hard disk drive is that a tape drive uses sequential access storage. Sequential access means data is arranged in a specific, ordered sequence rather than randomly, as with a hard disk. This means that accessing data on tape drives is a significantly slower process.

IRS Tape Backup — *© Alpha*

Backup tapes are an older storage medium used for storing and protecting data.

Magnetic Tape Formats

Magnetic tape drives come in five different formats, each of which is used for a specific purpose depending on the overall storage capacity. Additionally, in some instances, the tape format also impacts the transfer rate.

Advanced intelligent tape: Sony developed this magnetic tape format as a high-speed, high-capacity option. It is no longer in use, but was notable for its backward and forward compatibility. It originally had a storage capacity of 65GB compressed and a transfer speed of 4 MB/s.
Digital audio tape: Another Sony development, this format resembled a compact cassette tape used for audio recording and playback. As the name implies, digital audio tape was digital instead of analog, and only recorded and played in one direction.
Digital linear tape: Also called CompacTape, digital linear tape was developed in 1984 and had an original storage capacity of 94MB per cartridge. The most recent model is from 2006, with a storage capacity of 800GB and a data rate of 60 MB/s.
Linear tape-open: Also known as LTO Ultrium, this format is primarily used for data archiving and was developed as an open standard rather than as a proprietary technology. The first generation had a capacity of 200GB and a transfer speed of 20 MB/s.
Quarter-inch cartridge: Developed in 1972, quarter-inch cartridges are an older format, though they are still in use today. Quarter-inch tape has gone through numerous variations and advances.

Are Tape Backups Still Used in 2024?

The short answer is yes. Even with the popularity and ease of use of cloud-based backups, magnetic tape drives still have a place in the digital world, especially for archival data. For example, media companies and libraries still make use of magnetic tape drives.

In many cases, companies need to hold on to data for a predetermined amount of time due to laws or regulations. Financial data is a good example. Many companies, including government agencies in the U.S., need to hold on to older financial data for auditing purposes. A magnetic tape backup is a good candidate for holding that data.

Why Use Tape Backup?

There are a few reasons why businesses or even individuals would consider using tape backup instead of more modern backup applications. Larger companies that need to store old data can use tape storage for regulatory compliance. This helps free up space on hard disks and the cloud, which are accessed more often.

Advantages of Magnetic Tape Backup

Despite the speed benefits of using modern backup technology, tape backup still offers a few advantages to its users.

Longevity: Magnetic tape drives last a long time, with a low risk of data corruption or drive failure.
Cost: The cost per gigabyte to store data on a tape backup compared to other backup options is low, making it an efficient way to store older, archival data.
Security: Tape backup is more secure than other types of backup for protecting data against cybercrimes, as modern cyber threats simply cannot access the data on a magnetic tape.

Disadvantages of Magnetic Tape Backup

Tape drives are not the best solution for every backup situation, and there are a few disadvantages to this dated technology.

Accessibility: Data that you need to access quickly and regularly is best stored with other backup solutions, such as a hard disk or the cloud.
Speed: Tape drive copying speed is relatively slow, especially compared to the speeds of hard disks or cloud services.
Physical cost: Although the cost per gigabyte is low, the cost of the infrastructure and the tapes themselves can be expensive.

Backup Tape Storage Best Practices

Using and maintaining a tape backup library requires a few considerations that are not necessary with other, more modern forms of backup. A good example is the care and handling of tape drives. Magnetic tape drives live in physical storage spaces and can deteriorate over time if not maintained. Here are a few other considerations for adhering to best practices:

Multiple copies: Businesses can keep one data copy onsite and another offsite, similar to 3-2-1 backup rule recommendations.
Limited access: To protect the data stored on tapes, it is important to keep tape inventories accurate and the tapes themselves clean. Limiting access to only a few essential people helps maintain control.
Security measures: Though modern cyber threats like ransomware and malware are less likely to be an issue with tape drives, which typically do not have an online presence, using an antivirus to scan the data before copying it to a tape drive limits potential corruption.

Why Should You Replace Tape Backup with Cloud Storage?

Tape backups have a valid place in the world of data backup. However, cloud storage is the better option for storing data you need to access frequently. You can access and back up data far more quickly with cloud storage. The best cloud storage services are also the preferred way to share data and collaborate with others, which is not feasible with tape backup.

Final Thoughts

Tape backups have been around for decades, but they are not the best solution for every backup need. However, tape drives do still have a place in modern backup strategies, as they are a great option for storing archival data. Tape drives also help businesses stay compliant with data storage regulations.

Have you ever used a tape backup? Does your business or company use tape backups for data storage? Do you think tape backups will ever become obsolete? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading our article.

FAQ: Tape Backup Solution

Yes, linear tape-open (LTO) is a commonly used tape drive format that businesses in many industries still use. LTO tapes are great for storing archival data and are the most common type of tape backup used today.
Tape backups are very reliable. They are not often prone to failure and can hold data for years without corruption or loss of fidelity.
No, tape drives are not making a comeback. However, they provide a specific use case for many businesses and still play a role in data backup strategies.
Tape storage is an effective way to store old or archival data on a reliable medium. This frees up space on more modern cloud backup storage solutions for frequent, easier access to more relevant data.

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