Total data storage now measured in ‘exabytes’

A recent study done at the University of Southern California found that total data storage on planet earth is estimated to be approximately 295 billion gigabytes (or 295 exabytes). The study also found that the year 2002 is considered the start of the digital age when data stored on digital media surpassed the data stored in analog format e.g. videotapes, cassettes, photographs. The digital data referred to in the study consists of hard disk drive storage, optical storage and digital tape storage.

This volume of data presents a wide range of issues. Our perspective as IT auditors prompts us to consider the risks and controls around the security of this data, especially the data that is most valuable, sensitive and critical.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9209158/Scientists_calculate_total_data_stored_to_date_295_exabytes