The Dark Side of Cloud Data Centers

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Cost efficiency, convenient file handling, easily scalability, reliability and durability.

Those are some key advantages, which attracting people to use cloud storage services for businesses and personal needs.

There are so many cloud storage service (cloud data center) providers are spread across the world.

 

What is Cloud Storage Service (Cloud Data Center)? 

Cloud Data Center is a 'Server' with a large number of hard drives connected to a data management computer system via a network.

It can be a single server or an interconnection of multiple servers in different geographical locations.

When you registering to Cloud storage service (Data center) the computer system will allocate a portion of storage for your account.

Then, it will save your uploaded data in to a hard disk in somewhere inside the storage network.

Accordingly the Hard drive becomes the most valuable part in a data center and Service provider must be accountable for all the data in those drives. 

So, they should follow strong security precautions for preventing data leakage, data losses, corruption, fraud or stealing.

In general, any hard drive has its own life cycle, and some data corruptions or hardware failures may occur due to health degradation over time with use.

Because of this, most cloud service providers displace the drives after distinct time period or end of manufacturer’s warranty period.

What will do for those hard disks?

According to the statistics forecasts as of 2021;

There are approx. 8,000 data centers in the world (statics by Techjury),

With total around 500 Exabyte of actual data capacity (statics by statista Inc.),

By the above details, you will be able to guess how many hard disks might be using in data centers.

 

Typically more than 90% of drives in a cloud system are used for user’s confidential data; so, those will shredded.

The drives used for less sensitive non-confidential data can be used for resale or reuse for other purposes by erasing existing contents.

Image source: recycling.com

But still they won't be able to guarantee a zero risk policy for their users even by shredding the drive,

Since modern large capacity hard drives have about 500,000 data tracks per square inch, a person who has masterful talent about data recovery technology, could be retrieve data from even 3mm piece of a disk.

To prevent those confusions in 2022, IEEE Standards Association (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) approved three standards for removing data from devices, the process known as sanitization.

Sanitization by Clear, Purge and Destroy

1. Clear:

Hard drives which containing non-confidential data are erased by reformatting tools, this will be the least method for non-sensitive drives to reuse. But the data can be recover using special recovery tools. 

2. Purge: 

There are several methods in Purge,

- Destroying existing confidential data by overwriting the entire volume to a different pattern of data; 

But this method is not practically suitable for modern high capacity drives; it may be take one to two days to erase a drive.

- In such case a method call cryptographic erase is used for those drives. 

All existing data will be encrypted by a special tool, and not be able to decrypt or retrieve data without having decrypting key.

Data cannot be recovered once this key is deleted and is very effective for risk management.

Most modern hard drives are built with this encryption technology, 

So, users won’t be worry for their data security in future.

After introduction of purging the reusability and sustainability of storage device manufacturing industry has increased.

Currently, data center service providers are expected to follow the above standard process in router disposal as well. Because they also store valuable network information.

Leading data storage device manufacturer Seagate announced that they have generated $1.1 million from the resale of refurbished drives in 2022, avoiding approximately 540 tons of electronic waste (e-waste).

3. Destroy: 

In this Method, selected relevant drives will destroy by melting or incineration, neither data nor physical material can be recovered, this ensures 100% of zero risk policy for users. This would be the most extreme method to destroy highly sensitive data.

Furthermore;

As a result of this modern industrial development, Environmental pollution caused by electronic waste (e-waste) has become a serious threat.

According to the global statistics announced by Statista Inc, more than 50 million metric tons of e-waste is generated every year, averagely its some 7Kg of e-waste per capita.

In some case E-waste can be laden with hazardous and carcinogenic elements like mercury, lead, and cadmium, posing significant threat to the environment and human health.

According to the United Nations, only a small fraction(less than 20 percent) of e-waste is formally recycled, with 80 percent being landfilled or recycled informally. This may take around fifty to million years for decompose or biodegrade.

Image source:ban.org

So, every IT or electronic device manufacturers should look at this matter from an environmental-friendly angle to overcome this crisis.

As a turning point, Instead of above total destruction method (melting and incineration) must be having some innovation to reacquire all chemical elements and subject 100% recycle every equipment which is being dispose by both IT and Electronic industries.

Digital Display Evolution with Quantum Dots - Complete Tutorial

Image Edited by Author / Source: rochester.edu

In this article we are going to discuss the latest technology used on digital display industry. Before that lets take a slight look about the earlier technologies used for displays.

1. CRT : Cathode Ray Tube

In this technology, the images generate by focusing high voltage electron beams to a phosphorescent inner flat surface of a pyramid shaped vacuumed tube.

Common disadvantages like Heavy weight, limited screen size, less image quality, high power consumption, more space waste, UV rays and high voltage cautions, Threw this technology away from the use

Image Source: csis.pace.edu

Labour-less Farming with Driver-less Machines

The world famous agricultural machinery manufacturing giants, European Deere and company (John Deere) and Asian Kubota Corporation has started to face the challenges of future farming.

The companies have identified Electrification, Automation to Autonomy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as three core technologies that are shaping the future of farming. These advancements are paving the way for revolutionary developments in their industries.

Both companies were evolving through more than 130 years by giving their contribution for world's industrial development process

John Deere (Deere & Company) is an American company founded on 1837 in Grand Detour Illinois, United States by Mr. John Deere

The company manufacturing large variety of industrial machineries for agricultural and many other sectors.

Kubota Corporation is a Japanese multinational company founded on 1890 in Osaka, Japan by Mr. Gonshiro Kubota

They also manufacturing variety of industrial machineries and accessories mainly for agricultural and also some other sectors.

 Here we are going to adduce you the iconic revolutionary agricultural machinery concept unveiled by each firm

 

John Deere's autonomous electric tractor concept

 

Image Source: deere.co.uk

This cutting-edge machine is designed as a compact electric drive unit with integrated attachment and remotely controlled by a control center call 'ComandCab', consist with joystick control, touchscreen display and networking of all machine components.

ComandCab is a completely AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven operating concept By integrating real-time terrains data, weather data, individual pre-settings and job management procedures

The tractor with a remarkable total output of 500 kW (approximately 680 horsepower), can be equipped with either wheels or triangle tracks depending on requirements of the application.

The flexibility of ballasting ranging from 5 to 15 tonnes, enables farmers to reduce soil compaction, which is crucial for maintaining soil health.

According to the previous version, the machine will powered by external power source directly connected by in-built long power cable, which ensure the seamless machine power for endless operations with full efficiency.

 

Kubota’s electric AI-driven X Tractor Concept

 

Image source: topgear-autoguide.com

The Kubota concept X Tractor equipped with precocious autonomous technology from US leading chipmaker Nvidia.

An integrated data processing unit equipped with Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) process the data which collected by several cameras and sensors according to the operator instructions.

Inbuilt lithium-ion batteries will powered the machine, solar panels on top surface of body supplies electric source to recharge and completely controlled by a centralized remote monitoring system.

This peerless designed autonomous tractor consist of four triangle track wheels, which provides strong traction on any terrains, each wheel powered by dedicated four engines to rotate independently at different speeds and that allows handle turn in narrow angles.

It Can adapt ride height according to the operational terrains condition and requirements of transportation.

Although the machine’s technical details are not fully revealed yet by the company since still being evolve

 

Overall Benefits

Additionally, both machines electric drive system ensures zero operating emissions and low noise levels offer a significant advantage to environmental sustainability

Moreover, the reduced wear and maintenance costs and minimum labour cost make it an economically viable choice for farmers.

With those impressive features and benefits, these innovations showcase the company's dedication to driving the future of farming towards efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.