Data for Breakfast Around the World
Drive impact across your organization with data and agentic intelligence.
Before we entered the digital age, storing and preserving information required a lot of physical space and even more time and effort. Filing cabinets were jam-packed with documents of every kind, shoeboxes filled with photos (and the negatives) were crammed into closets, and librarians grumbled over students who mixed up the card catalogs that were carefully organized by the Dewey Decimal System. Physical security was limited to who had access to the rooms and drawers that the documents were in, with the ever-present possibility of everything being destroyed in the event of fire or disaster (or disgruntled employee sabotage). Art, literature and historical records have been lost to time, war and faulty wiring — no copies, no backups.
Today, we’re surrounded by data, and organizations and individuals need to save, store and manage it all. Data storage is the process of retaining and recording digital information on a medium so it can be accessed later. It’s the backbone of modern computing, absolutely essential not just for accessing our data, but for our computers and devices to function at all.
In this guide, we’ll break down the fundamentals of data storage: what it is, the process of writing and saving data, methods of data storage, storage device types, the benefits of data storage and how to choose the best data storage solution for your organization’s needs.
Data storage is the process of recording and storing digital information for future use. Information gets coded into a binary format — a series of 0s and 1s — onto a storage device. Typically, those devices include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), flash memory and optical storage, which we’ll get into more detail about shortly. The fundamental unit of data storage is a bit (that binary value of either 0 or 1), which is grouped into larger units called bytes. Bytes are the basis for all digital data.
There are different types of data storage, but a key distinction to note is between primary and secondary storage.
Primary storage: This is a computer’s main memory, directly accessible by the central processing unit (CPU). While it’s very fast, it’s also volatile, which means that it loses data when the power is turned off. It’s used for temporary data the computer is actively working with. RAM and a CPU cache are examples of this type of storage.
Secondary storage: In contrast with primary storage, secondary storage is for long-term storage — and it’s non-volatile, so it’ll hold data even when the computer is off. However, it’s not directly accessible by the CPU, so data has to be transferred to primary storage before it can be processed. HDDs and SSDs are in this category of storage.
Data storage is a core function of all computers and devices, and is necessary for high-level computational needs like AI, ML, big data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s also crucial for protecting information from loss due to crashes, cyberattacks or system failures.
Put simply, data storage works by translating digital information into binary code and then writing that code onto a physical medium. The journey that data takes to get onto one of those storage mediums can be broken down into a few key steps:
Encoding: No matter what piece of data you’re storing — a photo, document, program, etc. — it’s first translated into that binary code because it’s a language that computers can understand and process. A computer might encode the letter A, for example, as 01000001.
Writing: Once in binary form, the data is “written” to the storage medium, which happens in different ways depending on which storage technology you’re using:
Magnetic storage (e.g., HDDs): The binary data controls an electromagnet in a read/write head, which polarizes tiny magnetic regions on a spinning platter. A region magnetized in one direction could represent a 1, while a region magnetized in the opposite direction represents a 0.
Solid state storage (e.g., SSDs): Electrical signals are used to write data to memory cells. A voltage is applied to a floating gate transistor, which either traps or releases electrons. The presence of a trapped charge represents a 1, while the absence of one represents a 0.
Optical storage (e.g., CDs, DVDs): Digital data is encoded as a series of microscopic pits (indentations) and lands (flat areas) on the surface of a disc. A laser burns those pits onto the disc. The presence of a pit represents a 0 and a land represents a 1.
Having covered what’s going on behind the scenes every time you save a piece of data, let’s talk about which methods of data storage are best for each use case, and which data storage devices fall under each data storage method.
The name is a bit self-explanatory, but direct-attached storage devices are located in the immediate area and physically connected to the computer accessing them. There’s usually only one computer attached to the device at a time. DAS devices are ideal for creating local backups, but sharing to other devices or systems is limited. Examples include HDDs, SSDs, flash drives and CD/DVD drives.
NAS devices allow multiple machines to share storage over one network, which is accomplished with multiple storage devices in a RAID configuration. This centralizes data and improves collaboration compared to DAS devices, since data can easily be shared between connected devices and authorized users. They’re more costly solutions than DAS devices, but are still affordable thanks to advances in storage technology. But do note that speed is limited because they only work with TCP/IP Ethernet networks.
There are various NAS options for both home and business use, which are differentiated from one another by the number of drive bays they have. Devices with a fewer number of bays are better for home use, while more bays are better suited for business use.
SAN is network-based storage, which uses a combination of storage devices, from clouds to SSDs to USBs or any method of hybrid storage. It’s a specialized, high-speed network that gives multiple servers access to a shared pool of storage devices. Think of it as a separate, dedicated network that’s just for storing and retrieving data, keeping it off the main network that users are on. SAN is optimized for multiple users and has faster performance over NAS, but is a more expensive network-based storage solution. SAN is ideal for environments that need top-tier performance and reliability, such as data centers and large-scale enterprise applications.
Saving data and information to “the cloud” has become a ubiquitous phrase, but what exactly does it mean, and where is your data going if not to a local device? Cloud storage allows you to save your data to remote servers that a third party maintains. It gets uploaded over the internet to those servers, where it’s securely stored and managed. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access your data from the servers from anywhere in the world.
Since you typically pay for the storage you use, you can easily increase or decrease storage capacity as needed. It also eliminates the need to buy and maintain your own storage hardware. There are different cloud storage options available, depending on use case. While Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud are all suited for personal use (with Google and Microsoft’s clouds also commonly used by businesses), Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3, Google Cloud Storage and Microsoft Azure Blob Storage are used by businesses for large-scale data storage, backups and applications.
The Snowflake AI Data Cloud platform is a bit different from traditional cloud storage in that storage is a core component of the platform, not something you pay extra for, and the platform runs on top of major public clouds.
We’ve already talked a bit about the process of storing data and the different forms and methods of data storage. Now let’s dive into some of the most commonly used data storage devices, which are all suited for different use cases and storage needs.
HDDs use magnetism to save data and contain a set of spinning platters coated with a magnetic material. A read/write head, which is similar to the needle of a record player, moves across the platters to read and write data. Their moving parts make them slower than other storage options and more susceptible to damage, but remain popular for their low cost and high storage capacity. They’re ideal for large-scale data backups and are typically found in desktop computers and laptops. HDDs are non-volatile.
SSDs are the successor to HDDs and use flash memory to store data — that means no moving parts, and it makes them non-volatile. This also makes them significantly faster, more durable and more energy-efficient than HDDs. Because they can access data instantly and aren’t limited by mechanical motion, they’re the preferred choice for a computer’s main drive, leading to faster boot times, quicker application launches and a more responsive user experience. Advancements in technology have made them more affordable than they once were, making them a common feature in most laptops and high-performance desktops.
Flash memory is non-volatile storage that retains data even without power. It’s the technology that powers SSDs, but it’s also used in a variety of small, portable devices, like USB flash drives, SD cards, smartphones, video games and the internal storage on tablets and digital cameras. There are two basic types of flash memory:
NAND: Named for the NAND logic gate used to connect its memory cells in a series. Allows for a high storage density and low cost per bit. The most common form of flash memory used for data storage in devices today.
NOR: Stores data in a parallel circuit arrangement, which allows for fast, random access to any individual memory cell. Ideal for executing program code directly from the memory chip itself, otherwise known as execute-in-place (XIP).
Flash memory is valued for its portability, durability and small size, making it perfect for transferring small to medium amounts of data on the go.
Optical storage uses a laser to read or write data to a spinning disc, most commonly CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays. Data is encoded onto the disc’s surface in the form of microscopic pits and lands, and then the laser reads the reflection patterns to interpret the data. Optical storage has been largely replaced by digital storage, which is faster and more convenient, but is still used for distributing video games, movies and software as well as long-term data archiving due to its longevity and ability to store data offline.
Ultimately, data storage is about much more than just storing information. It’s about ensuring that information is preserved and remains available even following catastrophic events, and that entire organizations have access to the business-critical data they need to succeed every single day.
Data storage is the key to data preservation. It protects digital assets from loss by creating a permanent and secure record. Modern storage solutions, especially cloud-based storage, often have redundancies which back up data in multiple places. Redundancies ensure that even if your data is lost or corrupted in one place, it’s still available in another.
This also directly enables accessibility. Data that’s stored in a central location can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. This is essential for remote work and distributed teams, making it possible for organizations to hire across borders and without geographical limitations.
Data must be analyzed to provide any true value to a business. Data storage solutions, particularly data warehouses, are designed to collect and consolidate a vast amount of data from different sources into a single repository. Having all of that information in one place makes it possible to run complex queries and conduct large-scale analysis.
Companies can use business intelligence (BI) tools to identify trends, predict customer behavior and gain critical insights that fuel critical decisions and give an organization a competitive edge. Data storage systems are necessary to process the large volumes of data needed for this level of analysis.
When teams can all access the same information from different locations, it helps to break down silos and encourage more efficient cross-functional collaboration. It’s also critical for ensuring that everyone is working from one source of truth as opposed to possibly sharing outdated versions of documents. Cloud storage services, in particular, provide features like version control and custom access permissions, which are important for securing and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information that only certain people should be able to view.
With all of the data storage types and methods available, it may seem daunting trying to determine which storage solution is best for your organization. But to help you focus through all the noise, consider these key factors:
Understand your needs
Capacity: How much data do you need to store? Are we talking gigabytes for mostly photos and documents, or are you going to need terabytes for enterprise-level amounts of storage? Which capacity is going to scale best with your organization?
Speed: How quickly does your organization need to access your data? How much of your daily work requires fast access versus more long-term activities, like conducting data backups?
Accessibility: Do you have a distributed workforce? Is it global or domestic? How many devices need to access your data?
Compare storage types: Once the above questions are answered, you’ll be in a better position to start comparing all of the storage types we’ve discussed to determine which are going to address your organization’s needs.
Data storage is an essential function of life in the digital age, both at work and in our personal lives. Our world is built on data and it’s crucial that we continue to protect it from loss and destruction — because protecting data is preserving information, knowledge and even memories for the future. Humans are in the best position we’ve ever been in to store countless terabytes of data for safekeeping, knowledge sharing, business intelligence and so much more, thanks to the incredible capacity and power of modern data storage solutions.
Yes, in a battle of SSD vs. HDD, an SSD is significantly faster than an HDD. The core difference lies in how they store and access data. An SSD stores data on flash memory chips; because there are no moving parts, it can access data instantly. It reads and writes data electronically, allowing extremely high speeds.
Conversely, an HDD uses a mechanical arm to read and write data from a spinning magnetic platter. The speed of an HDD is dependent on the speed of its arm and the rotation speed of the platter, which is a slow, mechanical process — certainly compared to that of an SSD.
The primary difference is that memory (RAM) is used for short-term, temporary data access, while storage (like a hard drive) is used for long-term, permanent data retention. Memory holds data that the CPU needs to access quickly and immediately, like the operating system or applications. But storage is where those applications or the operating system are stored for the long term, even when the computer is powered off.
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