Long term data retention

Most information today forgoes a solely physical medium and resides in a digital format; however, the information may be altered or lost over time. There is a need to create a library that will persist for generations with relevant information and be accessible to anyone globally. Possible formats for data storage include microfilm, magnetic disks, solid state drives, DNA data storage, optical data storage, holographic data storage, and cloud computing. All give various solutions to longevity and physical and data integrity but the proposed route utilizes cloud computing due to its growing market and increase of use in businesses and education. The data contained within needs to maintain a high level of data authenticity and integrity. It will require a way to maintain a system of error-correcting codes to make sure the data is unaltered during storage or transfers. I discuss the basic architecture of data centers, the cost of powering them, utilizing more space as data is added, and global load balancing. In regards to the data, I address containment, and solutions on how to deal with environmental and human accidents, severe weather conditions, law and copyright issues, hacking and in extreme cases an electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear explosion. The main data centers should be duplicated in distant and secure locations in both developing and established areas. Data contained in the library must be analyzed for relevance and review to prevent additions of unnecessary or inaccurate data. Finally, I propose best practices with the current information compiled on the creation of a long-term data retention library and what possible future solutions instead.M.S.Includes bibliographical reference