Is this the first incidence of tape or hardcopy box loss?  No.  This has
been happening since the first tape came off an IBM computer, and since
humans pounded out the first stone tablet.  Tapes & boxes are left with
the wrong clients, left under a desk, left under a rack, left in a
container that is put somewhere, and on and on.  As long as we have people
involved in the process; Murphy will strike.

Is the commercial off-site storage business capable of handling your
storage requirements?  Yes.  They are better prepared with technology,
security and training than an individual company trying to do this
internally.  And Fedex and UPS are not infallible; they have many more
examples of lost parcels and packages than the off-site storage business.

Do you need to audit your vendor?  Absolutely.  Reviews keep them on their
toes and focused on their training and procedures.

Has the media and public changed their focus on these types of things?
Totally.  We wouldn't have read about these incidents 5 or 10 years ago.
They were still happening regularly, but with the Enron's and Tyco's and
SOX and GLB and HIPAA, everyone is much more focused on this area.

Are companies willing to pay more for a higher level of service?
Yesterday - No.  Today - Probably.  Perhaps with RFID, satellite tracking
and other technology tools the off-site storage industry can operate with
fewer errors, but there might be higher costs.

How do you minimize the chance of data loss?  It's going to happen -
caveat emptor!

  - review your procedures and policies

  - audit your vendor(s)

  - encryption of content is one way if you have to use removable media

  - automate the process of moving data off-site; remove murphy from the
picture!

  - digitize your documents and keep multiple copies if you deal with
hardcopy info

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