Long-Term Archiving: An Interview with Thomas Demoor on the Future of Decentralized Cloud

Thomas Demoor, CTO of Impossible Cloud, recently shared insights in an article about the challenges and opportunities of long-term archiving in the digital era. In this interview, he delves deeper into the key points, exploring how decentralized cloud solutions are reshaping data storage and management for businesses worldwide.

Why is long-term archiving still relevant in today’s digital age?‍

Long-term archiving remains critical for sectors like healthcare, film production, finance, and research. These industries deal with valuable data that needs to be stored securely for decades. Traditional tape storage has long been the go-to solution, but it’s reaching its limits with today’s growing data volumes. Businesses are now looking for more scalable, reliable, and faster alternatives, which is where decentralized cloud storage comes in.

What are the biggest limitations of traditional tape storage systems?‍

Tape storage has served us well, but it’s not without flaws. For example, retrieving data from tapes can take anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, depending on the tape’s position. There’s also the mechanical wear and tear of tape drives, which requires regular upgrades to maintain compatibility with new systems. These challenges, coupled with the growing volume of data, make tape storage less practical for modern businesses.

How does decentralized cloud storage address these challenges?‍

Decentralized cloud storage offers a flexible and robust alternative. Unlike centralized systems or traditional tapes, decentralized architecture is inherently scalable and resilient. It allows for faster data retrieval, often in milliseconds, and minimizes downtime with automated error correction. If one storage node fails, the system reconstructs the data from other nodes without manual intervention. This is a game-changer for businesses that rely on consistent access to their data.

What are the advantages of decentralized cloud storage over centralized cloud solutions?‍

Decentralized cloud storage eliminates many of the risks associated with centralized solutions, such as vendor lock-in. By using open standards and protocols, businesses gain the flexibility to switch providers or even migrate back to on-premise systems if needed. This approach also enhances data sovereignty, allowing businesses to meet regional compliance requirements more effectively.

Migration to cloud storage can be complex. What steps should companies take?‍

Migration is a critical process that requires careful planning. The first step is a thorough analysis of the existing data, categorizing it by access frequency, compliance needs, and business relevance. From there, companies should create a structured migration plan, starting with a pilot phase to test processes and performance. Using tools like automated integrity checks and setting rollback points ensures data security throughout the migration.

What role does Impossible Cloud play in this transformation?‍

At Impossible Cloud, we’re pioneering a decentralized approach that leverages existing infrastructure to create a resilient and scalable cloud network. Our solution provides companies with a secure, cost-effective, and sustainable way to manage long-term data storage without being tied to traditional providers. This empowers businesses to focus on innovation while we handle the complexities of modern data storage.

Explore Impossible Clouds' Use Case: Tape to Cloud

What does the future hold for decentralized cloud solutions?‍

Decentralized cloud solutions are poised to become the backbone of modern data management. As businesses generate more data and face increasing regulatory pressures, the need for scalable, sovereign, and sustainable storage options will only grow. At Impossible Cloud, we’re committed to leading this evolution and helping companies unlock the full potential of their data.

Conclusion: Redefining of long-term archiving‍

Thomas Demoor spotlights the transformative potential of decentralized cloud storage, addressing the limitations of traditional systems - including scalability, retrieval time, and durability - with unmatched scalability, resilience, and speed. This is especially critical for sectors needing secure, long-term data storage.

Why It Matters: Decentralized cloud storage is redefining how businesses store and manage data for the long haul, empowering innovation while enabling sustainability and compliance. Impossible Cloud is leading the charge, paving the way for a more flexible and future-ready approach to long-term archiving.

Learn More: Decentralized cloud solutions are the future, meeting modern demands for data management and compliance. Read our Cloud v. Tape blog or Decentralization FAQ for more information.