Is Tape Backup Dead? Why This Technology Still Matters

Tape backup isn't dead – but it's glory days are gone. In this episode, W. Curtis Preston and Prasanna Malaiyandi discuss why tape backup remains relevant despite its diminished role in operational backups. They reveal how cloud giants have become the biggest consumers of tape technology while explaining common misconceptions about tape's performance.

The hosts break down four core advantages tape backup still maintains: unbeatable cost (one to two orders of magnitude cheaper than alternatives), superior speed for bulk transfers, better data integrity with lower bit error rates, and built-in protection against ransomware through true immutability. Whether you're considering your disaster recovery strategy or looking for cost-effective long-term storage, this episode offers valuable insights into why tape backup continues to play a crucial role in modern data protection architectures.

Here are some related episodes we talk about in the show:

https://www.backupwrapup.com/ovhs-backup-service-didnt-work/

https://www.backupwrapup.com/back-in-my-day-backups-were-really-hard/

https://www.backupwrapup.com/tape-drive-designer-schools-mr-backup-on-tape/