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.

Data relocation includes storage and destruction. Storage is a broad term itself, encompassing many types of devices and methods. Digital data can be stored on hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, DVDs and other devices. Giant, multi-terabyte hard drives are used for purposes such as digital security cameras, and a flash drive might be just the right size to hold your family photos. Another option is online data storage companies.

Online data storage companies can be beneficial because they can make it easier to share your data files, or provide a backup if your copies of the information are lost or damaged. They can also serve as a central repository of information if the data is being accessed by people at multiple physical locations, such as in video sharing.

Choosing a data storage company is important. The company should have a good set of easy to use features, making it simple to upload, access and download your files. They should have a state of the art security system. There should also be good support, and it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. There are websites that have already rated all these features for you if you are short on time, but you might find a better deal by looking for yourself.

The other side of data relocation is data destruction. When you are done with a computer and want to get rid of it– sell it, recycle it, send it to the dump– you need to clean all your sensitive information from it’s memory. Simply deleting files does not actually remove them from the computer’s memory, and a skilled user can retrieve your old data even when you think it’s gone.

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.

Other types of data destruction for hard drives include more physical methods, such as degaussing, which is when a large magnet is used to destroy a hard disk. The hard drive is unusable after degaussing, and the information on it cannot be accessed. This process does not allow you to reuse the device again after wiping it the way data destruction software does, though.

Destroying other physical media on which data is stored may be simpler– if you are not concerned about getting to reuse the media device, DVDs and CDs can be shredded with an industrial shredder, just like a paper document would be. Companies that specialize in data destruction have these shredders, as well as degaussers, for use on your machines.

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 new data storage 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.

Author Bio: For almost twenty years they have been one of the premier Data storage providing the most comprehensive and secure methods for the entire digital media life cycle.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: data management, data storage, data relocation, data destruction, technology, computers, databases