Why Real Estate Firms Still Use Tape Backup for Security?

Data is everything in real estate. Losing property records, client agreements, and legal documents isn’t an option. Hackers, system failures, and natural disasters put valuable information at risk. Cloud storage and modern drives are convenient, but real estate firms still use tape backup for one reason: security.

It’s a proven system that protects against cyber threats, reduces costs, and ensures long-term reliability. While other industries move to fully digital solutions, real estate firms can’t afford to gamble with their data. 

Here’s why tape backup remains a trusted choice for real estate security.

Tape Backup Prevents Cyberattacks and Data Theft

Real estate companies are targets for cybercriminals. Ransomware attacks lock companies out of their own information, charging a fee to unlock access. Cloud storage and network drives are at risk. 

Tape backup and storage are offline and thus hacker-proof.

• Air-gapped protection: Tapes are physically stored away, preventing remote attacks.
• No risk of insider deletion: Unlike cloud systems, no employee can erase or alter offline data.
• Reliable recovery: Firms can restore clean backups from tape instead of paying a ransom.

Relying solely on cloud storage leaves businesses open to breaches. Tape backup ensures real estate firms never lose control of their data.

Tape Storage Lasts Longer Than Any Other Backup Option

Real estate companies deal with documents that need to be kept for decades. Contracts, deeds, and financial records don’t have an expiration date, and they can’t be lost. Tape storage lasts longer than hard drives and SSDs, providing long-term protection without the possibility of sudden failure or unanticipated data loss.

Hard Drives Have a Short Lifespan

Hard drives deteriorate rapidly, usually failing between 5–7 years. Moving parts deteriorate over time, causing corruption and loss of data permanently.

SSDs Degrade Faster Than Expected

SSDs might appear more reliable, but they deteriorate after 10 years, based on usage. Heavy read/write cycles reduce their lifespan, making them a bad choice for long-term data storage.

Tape Backup Lasts Over 30 Years

In contrast to other storage systems, tape backup holds up well over over thirty years. Tape backup is power-free and not susceptible to electronic failure, making it the most long-lasting choice for real estate firms.

According to a survey report—

In 2023, the world tape storage market was valued at $5.54 billion. It is projected to reach $10.89 billion by 2032. This growth is a 7.8% annual growth.

Tape Backup Costs Less Than Cloud and Hard Drives

Real estate firms handle a lot of important documents. Storing everything in the cloud might seem easy, but it gets expensive over time. Tape backup is a one-time cost, so businesses don’t have to worry about monthly fees or rising storage costs.

A single tape can hold a huge amount of data, much more than regular hard drives. Once information is saved on tape, it stays there for decades without extra charges. This makes it a better option for storing old records that don’t need to be accessed often.

Cloud services bill companies monthly, and hard drives become obsolete and require replacement. Tape backup is cheaper in the long term, enabling real estate companies to save data without spending too much.

Tape Backup Assists Real Estate Companies in Complying with Laws

Storage of data is not a choice; it is a legal requirement. Real estate companies are obligated to maintain financial, legal, and transactional documents for several years. Losing key documents may lead to compliance concerns, fines, or legal challenges.

• IRS rules mandate the retention of tax records for at least seven years.
• Property records and mortgage agreements often require indefinite retention.
• Legal cases may demand access to decades-old contracts.

Tape storage makes compliance simple. Firms store the data once and retrieve it only when necessary. This avoids unwanted deletion and saves legal compliance expenses without the added cost of clouds.

Tape Backup Keeps Information Safe from Natural Disasters and Power Failures

Fires, floods, and electrical outages can burn up computers and servers. Even cloud computing can fail, rendering critical files unusable. Tape backup keeps data safe, even in the worst situations. It is not powered by electricity and remains safe if kept in another place.

Offsite Stored for Protection

In case the main office is destroyed by a disaster, tape backups are never affected in a safe place. This protects businesses from cyber attacks to restore their records even in the event of major losses.

No Electricity is Required to Protect the Data

Tape storage does not require electricity to store information like hard drives. Even in extended power outages, information is safe.

Secure from Electromagnetic Destruction

Power surges and interference may ruin digital files. These types of backups resist such threats, thus are well-suited to use in an archiving setting.

Tape Backup isn’t Quick, but It Is Dependable

Tape backup is not as fast as cloud storage, but speed is not its primary function. It’s meant for security and long-term preservation. Real estate companies employ a combination of storage techniques to safeguard valuable files while keeping easy access to frequently used information.

A Balanced Storage Approach

• Active files stay on cloud storage or local servers. These are the files that businesses need daily, so they must be easy to access.
• Older records move to tape backup for safekeeping. Documents that don’t need regular access are stored securely for the long term.
• This system keeps important files safe while ensuring efficiency. Firms get the best of both worlds—quick access for daily work and reliable storage for archived records.

Conclusion: Tape Backup Is Still the Smartest Choice

Real estate companies rely on tape backup since it is secure and dependable. Tape backup safeguards vital records without incurring high expenses. Hackers cannot access tape storage that is kept offline, so it is a powerful protection against attacks. It also lasts longer than hard drives and SSDs, keeping data safe for decades. 

Tape backup is cheaper than cloud storage because there are no ongoing fees. It also meets legal requirements for long-term records storage. Unlike other storage methods, tape protects data from disasters and power failures. Losing important files is not an option in real estate. Tape backup is the best way to keep records safe for years to come.