Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/187071
42 Information Technology maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2013 Data storage and protection Mark Bishop Data storage is one of the aspects of computing that is often taken for granted, at least up until the time when it begins to run out, when we are often presented with the dreadful popup message saying that the disk is almost full. While technology is constantly improving and data storage systems multiplying in capacity, it seems that users' expectations and needs are always one step ahead. In today's world it is extremely easy to be flooded with data; from software downloads to rich media files from portable devices and digital cameras, one can quickly run short of data storage options. If you are like me, you probably never delete anything, from backups to all digital media acquired over time, in particular photos and videos from digital cameras. Soon enough, you will run into the problem of data storage shortage. Luckily there are a number of options available to manage and increase data storage without compromise. Data storage options Perhaps to many, the most straightforward approach to address a shortage of data storage would be to acquire one of the many external hard disks available on the market at very competitive prices. These have the advantage of providing a quick solution at a relatively low one-time cost and are easy to set up and use. While there is nothing wrong with this approach, rather in the contrary a very good solution, it does bear its risks and shortcomings. The most obvious risk is the same risk in- curred when relying solely on the standard hard disk inside the computer or laptop in the first place – a hardware failure. A conventional hard disk is an electro-mechanical device with ample room for failure. Likewise, the newer form of solid state hard disks (SSD) also share some potential failures that could lead to partial or total loss of data. So what can be done to protect our precious data from loss due to hardware failure? The answer is simple – data backups. In line with the same though process that led to acquiring an external hard disk in the first place, the most obvious solution would be to acquire a second disk of the same or greater capacity and use it to take regular copies of the data on the main storage disks. This will normally provide a decent level of protection against hardware failures and inadvertent deletion of important data. Needless to say, such copies need to be kept up to date on a regular basis. There are several ways to achieve this. The most rudimentary being a mere copy and paste from source to destination, effectively overwriting the older copy. A more advanced approach would be to utilise one of the several backup software solutions available on the market. Another data storage option which is constantly gaining popularity is cloud-based storage. With cloud-based storage, you would typically rent out space on an online (internet-based) system. This solution incorporates data protection as standard because it is normally the responsibility of the cloud storage service provider to take regular backups of all stored data, over and above the compulsory high-availability systems which have become the norm in online services today, which in themselves already provide a good level of data protection by replicating data across two or more storage systems. I will go over cloud-based storage in more detail in my next article. With cloud-based storage, you would typically rent out space on an online (internetbased) system www.alert.com.mt Mark Bishop is the head of the Alert eBusiness Data Centre SmartCity Malta supports Middle East Business Council The fast-track activity going on at SmartCity Malta will coincide with the launch of the Middle East Business Council within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. The launch event, which will be held on 10 October at SmartCity Malta, found a natural location at the multimillion Middle Eastern project being developed between the Maltese government and SmartCity. The Middle East Business Council is an independent committee within the structures of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry with the purpose of promoting and enhancing business linkages between Malta and the GCC countries in particular and all over the Middle East. Amongst others, the Council aims to create a well-known and credible entity, to be a representative body for Malta vis-à-vis stakeholders in the region including Malta itself. It will also help to organise and participate in missions to the region, facilitating Maltese businesses reaching out to the region and be a natural nexus in Malta for businesses targeting the region. These objectives, together with others will be expounded on during the launch of the Council. Speaking about the event, a spokesman of the Council said that "when it came to deciding the venue of the event, SmartCity Malta was an obvious choice, a state-of-the-art venue totally linked to the mission of the Council which is 'Networking in the Middle East'. Commenting on the Council's launch, SmartCity Malta's CEO Anthony Tabone said: "We are very pleased to be hosting the launch of the Middle East Business Council at our premises and to be welcoming Albanna to the event as the keynote speaker. The Council's objectives are in line with SmartCity Malta's aims to attract foreign direct investment and facilitate business linkages between Malta and other countries." "Like the Council, SmartCity Malta aims to raise awareness in the region about Malta, especially as a gateway to North Africa and the EU, in order for it to become the natural focal point for incoming businessmen and institutions visiting from the region," Tabone added. The programme for the launch of Middle East Business Council commences with a welcome address by the President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, David G. Curmi followed by the CEO of SmartCity Malta, Anthony Tabone and the Chairman of the ME Business Council, Tonio Casapinta. The keynote address will be delivered by Ahmed Albanna, CEO of Dubarch Architectural Engineering Interior Design Consultancy followed by a presentation by Malta Enterprise's manager for Institutional Affairs, Clive Brockdorff. The Minister for the Economy and Small Businesses, the Chris Cardona will make his concluding remarks at the end of the programme and close off the event. Albanna is an enterprising and highly networked entrepreneur who rose to a high ranked position of a Deputy Director General at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and In- dustry at the beginning of his career. This role gave him the diligence and the position to influence the influx of business opportunities into Dubai. During the course of his tenure, through his gained experiences and a dynamic persona, he held positions of renowned regional and international institutions, such as the Dubai Quality Group, the Arab Union for International Exhibition and Conferences (AUIEC), the American Arbitration Association, and was also actively involved as a member of the Dubai Judicial Rent Committee. Albanna's work experience led him to venture into the Engineering/Construction and Interior Design Industry in a big way and today he heads DUBARCH a multidisciplinary engineering and interior design firm with a global presence.