The phrase future proofing describes the exclusive process of trying to anticipate future developments, so that action can be taken to minimize possible negative consequences, and to seize opportunities. For more on the process and practitioners, see Futures studies.

Data storage

Electronically

Electronics

Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...

 stored data

Data

The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...

, just like paper

Paper

Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....

 data, is subject to risk over time. Future proofing electronic data involves the selection of physical media and data format

Data format

Data format in information technology can refer to either one of:* Data type, constraint placed upon the interpretation of data in a type system* Signal , a format for signal data used in signal processing...

s which are most likely to ensure the continued accessibility of the original information. For example, if a person had stored a video that is important to them on a Betamax

Betamax

Betamax was a consumer-level analog videocassette magnetic tape recording format developed by Sony, released on May 10, 1975. The cassettes contain -wide videotape in a design similar to the earlier, professional wide, U-matic format...

 tape years ago, they could have trouble finding a player for it today (2011). But if that same person had stored the video on a VHS

VHS

The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....

 tape, then finding a player would be simple, as VHS players are still readily available.

Future proofing data storage means ensuring that a document or data will be able to be accessed and read in the future.

Using open and well-documented formats, standards and specifications while avoiding closed proprietary formats lessens the risk of data becoming obsolete.

See also

• Product data management
  Product Data Management
  Product data management is the business function often within product lifecycle management that is responsible for the creation, management and publication of product data...
  
  
• Digital preservation
  Digital preservation
  Digital preservation is the set of processes, activities and management of digital information over time to ensure its long term accessibility. The goal of digital preservation is to preserve materials resulting from digital reformatting, and particularly information that is born-digital with no...
  
  
• Digital media
  Digital media
  Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
  
  
• Backup
  Backup
  In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up is making copies of data which may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup....
  
  
• Digital Preservation Coalition
  Digital Preservation Coalition
  The Digital Preservation Coalition is a UK-based non-profit limited company which seeks to secure the preservation of digital resources in the UK and internationally to secure the global digital memory and knowledge base.-History:...
  
  
• Backward
  Backward compatibility
  In the context of telecommunications and computing, a device or technology is said to be backward or downward compatible if it can work with input generated by an older device...
  
   and forward compatibility
  Forward compatibility
  Forward compatibility or upward compatibility is a compatibility concept for systems design, as e.g. backward compatibility. Forward compatibility aims at the ability of a design to gracefully accept input intended for later versions of itself...
  
  
• Year 2000 problem
  Year 2000 problem
  The Year 2000 problem was a problem for both digital and non-digital documentation and data storage situations which resulted from the practice of abbreviating a four-digit year to two digits.In computer programs, the practice of representing the year with two...
  
  
• Year 2038 problem
  Year 2038 problem
  The year 2038 problem may cause some computer software to fail at some point near the year 2038...
  
  
• Year 10000 problem

External links

• Digital Preservation Tutorial