Proprietary software of encryption makes the existing multifaceted process of data retrieval and archiving more complex and is also expensive. The organizations have to make sure that the custody chain remains unbroken. Therefore the businesses have to prove that the fixed long term data content that include images (point in time), scanned contracts and E-mails remain in their original form throughout the duration of time they are stored. The serious threats to the saved data can be exposure of critical enterprise records, loss or theft of private information. These breaches of data security can more costly for the organizations than the regulatory penalties like the loss of consumer’s confidence that can lead to big loss for the company.

Dell LTO4 tape technology is designed specifically to avoid these kinds of scenarios. The WORM technology already has been introduced in the LTO3 tape format strengthens the security features. WORM technology makes the process of data storage more cost effective. WORM feature in Dell LTO-4 format does not allow modification of data after it has been recorded onto the LTO tape cartridge. This additional control and security level is achieved with the help of encoding formula that is included during in the LTO-4 tape media during its manufacturing in order to avoid tampering.Advanced Encryption Standard describes the cryptographic algorithm’s utilization with symmetrical cipher block operation mode which decrypts and encrypts the data by the use of binary fields.

Encryption of data at the device level is another advantageous advancement introduced in Dell LTO-4 tape devices the further strengthens the security and protection of valuable data for longer time period. Encryption at device level makes the archive management more efficient and raises the performance as well. It lowers the total cost of ownership as the encryption is done by the integrated hardware at the tape drive’s line speed. Therefore the Dell LTO 4 tape technology eliminates the requirement for costly proprietary software of encryption and additional encryption hardware. The data once received by the LTO-4 tape drive is encrypted internally and the integrity of data is ensured during the processes of deciphering & enciphering. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is the foundation of the hardware encryption of Dell LTO 4 technology.

Advanced Encryption Standard describes the cryptographic algorithm’s utilization with symmetrical cipher block operation mode which decrypts and encrypts the data by the use of binary fields. Afterwards the process of encryption is authenticated to protect the electronic information. Information through the encryption process in converted into cipher text which is garbled and obscure text form. The encryption technology makes the data unintelligible. When the data is needed to be deciphered, a mechanism of decryption transforms the information to its original form. Advanced Encryption Standard hardware is designed to encrypt the data at low cost with high speed. Information is decrypted and encrypted in blocks by the use of cryptographic keys. “Bits” is the unit of the cryptographic keys. Speed of data transfer depends on the cryptographic keys’ speed. Algorithm of AES uses 256 bit, 192 bit and 128 bit cryptographic keys for decrypting & encrypting the data in blocks of 128 bit. A secret key (256 bit) is employed by the Dell LTO4 tape products that enable the process of encryption after receiving the host data.