7.8 Risks

7.8.1.1  Automated storage systems can be configured to constantly copy and refresh data, discarding data tapes which have become unreliable. Large-scale Digital Mass Storage Systems are professionally designed and run by well resourced organisations which can afford and guarantee all necessary measures for data security.With manual data back up and recovery systems the dangers of data loss associated with self-designed and self-managed manual and semi-automated digitisation systems cannot be overestimated. The responsibility for ensuring that the archived audio data remains valid and accessible falls upon the individual, and requires that they physically check the data tapes on a regular basis. This situation is specifically aggravated by the fact that most research and cultural institutions are notoriously under-financed.

7.8.1.2  Though the design of such systems seems to incorporate a very high level of redundancy, one has to bear in mind that the digital components and carriers may fail at any moment without any warning. Therefore it is imperative to have at any stage of the digitisation process and the further storage at the very minimum two copies of the linear archive file. Any flaw will inevitably lead to the loss of a smaller or greater amount of data, however, if suitable strategies have been put in place, this will not be fatal because the redundant copies are available. In view of the time consuming process of transfer not to mention the inevitable losses of older materials, all efforts have to be made to avoid the necessity of re-digitising materials as an outcome of an inconsistent security architecture or careless conduct in the concrete approach.