Offline Data Storage with Washing and Open Formats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Companies face vulnerabilities in data storage due to ransomware and other hacking activities, with existing backup solutions being susceptible to online attacks and having long response times, which can lead to data loss and operational disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving data washing and storage on offline data carriers, such as tapes, in open format, with multiple copies stored in different locations, including an underground shelter, to ensure long-term data retention and protection, reducing vulnerability to malicious attacks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is stored on online systems for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to ransomware and hacking activities increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidvulnerability to ransomware

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts data from online storage systems and places it in offline storage environments. By physically removing data carriers (tapes, discs) from networked systems and storing them in isolated offline locations, the system eliminates the attack surface that ransomware exploits while maintaining data accessibility through controlled offline retrieval processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between online data sources and offline storage destinations. Data washing subsystems act as mediators that scan, validate, and clean data before transfer, while secure transfer mechanisms serve as intermediaries that move data carriers between online and offline environments without exposing the offline storage to direct network attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If data is stored in proprietary formats for optimal system performance, then productivity is improved, but adaptability decreases due to software dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidsoftware independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of converting data to proprietary formats for optimal performance, the patent inverts the approach by storing data in standardized, open formats that maximize interoperability. By prioritizing format standardization over optimization, the system ensures long-term accessibility and software independence while maintaining adequate performance through proper storage infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal data formats (such as PDF/A for documents, WAV for audio, and other open standards) that can be read by multiple software systems across different platforms and time periods. This multi-functionality ensures that stored data remains accessible regardless of future software changes or system upgrades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If comprehensive virus scanning is performed before storage, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy scanning processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata cleanlinessVSAvoidscanning duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs data washing and virus scanning as preliminary actions during the data ingestion phase, before data is committed to offline storage. By completing validation and cleaning operations upfront, the system ensures data reliability is established before storage occurs, eliminating the need for repeated scanning and reducing overall time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous data washing processes that operate during data transfer and storage operations. Rather than performing discrete, time-consuming scan operations, the system maintains continuous validation and cleaning processes that run parallel to data ingestion, ensuring data cleanliness without interrupting the storage workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If multiple copies of data are stored in different locations for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval guaranteeVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data storage into distinct physical locations and data carriers, creating multiple independent copies stored separately. By dividing the storage system into discrete, isolated segments (different tapes, discs, or physical media in separate locations), the system achieves redundancy without creating a complex interconnected storage network, maintaining simplicity through physical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4213025A1Method and system for storing and protecting data

Publication Date: 2023.07.19 BLUETRON IT BV

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AI summary

Method for storing and protecting data for long term data retention comprising the steps of providing digital data in any format, and the step of storing the digital data in open format; and the step of data washing of data before and/or during storage. The step of storing the data comprises providing at least two data carriers, wherein each data carrier comprises a copy of the same data to be stored and at least one of them is stored offline. The invention further relates to a system for storage and protection of data using the method of the present invention.