Microsoft is actively engaged in the development of a glass-based data storage medium slated for integration into its data centers that facilitate Azure Cloud services. This innovative ceramics-based storage solution is specifically designed for archival purposes and is touted to be impervious to ransomware attacks. In contrast to conventional SSD and Hard Disk drives, this technology is resistant to infiltration by cybercriminals seeking to deploy file-encrypting malware.
The Windows OS giant showcased its advancements in a 16-page white paper during the 29th ACM Symposium, drawing considerable attention from the tech community. Referred to as ‘Cerabyte,’ this new technology utilizes quartz glass as its foundation for information storage, presenting itself as a virtually eternal storage solution with the remarkable capability to store 1TB of information in just 1 square centimeter.
Cerabyte consists of square glass platters, and the process involves the use of high-speed Femtosecond lasers to inscribe information across the surface. These platters are then vertically stacked using a distinct procedure. Polarized microscopic technology is applied to image the platter in Z patterns, and an AI tool processes and decodes the information into analog signals, seamlessly converting between digital and analog data.
Microsoft asserts that this ransomware-resistant medium holds great potential for application in critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, and research, making cloud data centers more resilient against malware attacks.
It’s crucial to note that while this technology is still in the early stages of development and requires significant research and development efforts to become practical, the use of quartz glass, AI tools for data encoding and decoding, and related technologies may pose economic challenges. As of now, tape storage remains a more economically viable option for archival needs.
