According to data from the Polish Economic Institute, included in the report ‘Popularity of cryptocurrencies in Poland’, 94.2 per cent of respondents have heard of their existence and 11.7 per cent of Poles (of working age) declare ownership of cryptocurrencies. There are approximately 23,000 different types of cryptocurrencies in the world (Coinmarketcap, 2023). The most well-known is, of course, Bitcoin, but in general all cryptocurrencies, over the past few years, have become a popular means of investment. With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, the issue of securely storing private keys and other important information associated with them poses a huge challenge faced by holders. This information is stored on magnetic media.
In this article, we will discuss how to secure magnetic media effectively to protect against data loss and unauthorised access. One of the most effective ways to secure any media is with fireproof media safes and it is these that we will focus on today.
Types of data media
Data carriers are used to write, store and read digitally important files. These include computer memory, disk drives, USB memory devices (memory sticks), CD-ROMs and DVDs, memory cards, date cassettes and LTO tapes.
We record and store (and play back) information that is important to us on storage media. In addition to cryptocurrency information, this can include all sorts of digital documents, photographs, backups.
A key element in protecting magnetic media is ensuring its physical security. These media should be stored in places that are difficult to access by unauthorised persons. The best solution, therefore, is a high-security safe, but not any safe, only one designed for storing data carriers and with the appropriate certificates. Only in such a device will the data be protected not only against unauthorised access and theft, but also against a random event such as a fire.
What are the characteristics of data media safes?
All magnetic data media are highly sensitive to mechanical damage and the effects of external factors such as moisture and heat. They should therefore be stored properly – in dry places and away from heat sources.
A fireproof safe for data carriers is the best protection, as it fulfils two most important functions: anti-burglary (protects the items deposited therein against unauthorised access and theft) and fireproof (ensures the safety of data carriers even in the case of a fire outbreak).
Magnetic media are destroyed very quickly at temperatures as low as 55 °C. This is why such a safe must be appropriately constructed and must undergo stringent testing, culminating in the issue of certificates.
Find out whether it is worth buying a media safe.
Testing a magnetic media safe
How is the safe tested? A safe with fire protection in accordance with EN 1047-1 protects the items deposited in it for 60 (S 60 DIS) or 120 minutes (S 120 DIS) against fire (excessive temperature rise inside), gas and extinguishing fluid. This is all because the special fillings of the safe have an insulating function and the constructional crevices are additionally protected by a special system of seals, which swell in the event of a fire and have an additional protective function (against the ingress of water or fire extinguishing agents).
Before a safe receives specific fire resistance class certification, it is subjected to resistance tests and must pass a fire and drop test. The safe is placed in a special oven, heated for 60 or 120 minutes at temperatures reaching 1090 °C. The safe is then subjected to an impact test - it is dropped from a height of 9.15 m on a gravel base (such a drop is intended to simulate the situation if the ceiling were to collapse and the safe were to fall from a height of the 2nd floor). After such tests, the safe must remain airtight and the conditions inside the safe during the entire test (which lasts approximately 24 hours) must remain at an appropriate level, i.e. the temperature must not rise above 30 °C.
Such tests ensure that the data deposited in the safe will survive an emergency situation such as a fire or burglary.
How are media safes equipped?
Fireproof media safes are designed to provide sufficient space for all media: discs, CDs and DVDs, tapes and other magnetic media and to store them in an orderly manner. This is why safes are often fitted with special drawers and dividers with partitions. They can also have standard shelves to store not only data media, but also documents.
As far as access to the safe is concerned, the type of lock is optional and depends on the individual customer's preference. As standard, there is always a key lock. As an option, safes can be fitted with an electronic lock, an electronic lock with revision, a combination lock or a biometric lock, which is the most innovative solution.
Summary
Nowadays, as interest and investment in cryptocurrencies becomes more and more popular, it is of paramount importance to properly secure the important data carriers on which we store various types of information. It is crucial to ensure the physical security of the media, as both hacking and fire are random situations. We should be prepared for them. The right product will be a certified fireproof safe, in which magnetic media will be secure and with which we will have peace of mind.
