At DES Technologies, we value strong relationships and long-term industry partnerships. Fortunately for us, we have built connections with some of the most respected professionals in tape media storage and data backup. One of those individuals is Patrick Mayock, a Partner Development Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Pat has been with HPE for over seven years and has spent more than three decades in the data backup and storage industry.
Pat is our go-to resource at HPE, a trusted source of insight, and an outstanding colleague. For our TapeChat series, he was an easy first choice. His experience in the data and storage space dates back to the early 1990s in the Bay Area. Today, he is based in the greater Denver area, working alongside some of the leading minds in enterprise storage at HPE. Pat’s depth of knowledge and real-world experience make him a valuable voice in the evolving world of tape storage and data protection. We hope you enjoy this Q&A and welcome you to another edition of our TapeChat series with Pat.
Pat, thank you for taking the time to join us digitally for this online Q&A. We want to start by saying how excited we are to have you with us. You’re an industry veteran, and we’re honored to feature your insights in our content.
Thanks for the invite. I always enjoy working with your team at DES Technologies and have been consistently impressed by your innovative strategies to reach new prospects while educating existing customers on the growing role of LTO tape, from SMB environments to large data centers.
Let’s jump right in. To start on a fun note, what is one of the craziest or most memorable experiences you’ve had in the LTO or tape storage industry? Maybe a story or fun fact most people wouldn’t expect?
I’ve worked with several tape library companies over the years, and before that, I sold the original 9-track half-inch tape drives. Those were massive, and it’s almost funny how little data they stored compared to today’s standards. One of the most memorable projects I worked on was in the Bay Area at Oracle’s headquarters. They migrated from reel-to-reel tape drives to compact, rack-mounted robotic tape libraries. They replaced large shelves storing hundreds of tape reels with just 32 tape libraries in their cabinets. Each library had 40 tape slots and four full-height drives. The transformation was incredible. Instead of IT staff physically moving tapes in what we used to call “sneaker mode,” software could automatically locate, load, and restore data. As a young sales rep, it was a moment that really showed me how fast this industry could evolve.
With such a long career in storage and backup, what industry advancements still excite you today? What are you looking forward to in the LTO tape world?
I consider myself lucky. Years ago, there were five or more competing tape technologies, each from different vendors. Today, Ultrium LTO tape dominates the market and is supported by a consortium of technology leaders working together to advance media, read/write heads, and drive technology. The industry has become more predictable and reliable. Roughly every two years, we see a new generation of LTO technology released, with higher capacity and improved performance in the same physical footprint. The ongoing demand for higher storage density and efficiency continues to make LTO a very compelling solution for modern data environments.
When our sales team at DES Technologies asks businesses whether they still use LTO tape for backups, we often get surprised reactions, sometimes even laughter. Why do you think tape still has this outdated perception?
That reaction is common. However, the reality is that many industries are generating so much data that they are actually increasing their reliance on tape as part of a structured storage hierarchy. When you compare the cost of storing large amounts of data on disk versus LTO tape, tape often comes out ahead. But the advantages go far beyond cost. In large data center environments, physical floor space is extremely valuable. Tape libraries can store massive amounts of data in a compact footprint. Then there’s energy consumption. Disk arrays consume significantly more power and cooling resources compared to tape libraries. Tape becomes a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option. At HPE, and through partners like DES Technologies, we often provide white papers that break down these long-term cost and efficiency benefits in detail.
We are also seeing more businesses shift toward disk and hard drive-based backup solutions. Do you think LTO tape will regain the same level of appreciation in the future?
Disk and solid-state storage absolutely have their place, especially for high-access data. But organizations still need multiple copies of critical data stored across different locations. One of the key drawbacks of disk-only environments is that data is always accessible over the network. With today’s rise in ransomware and cybersecurity threats, that accessibility can become a risk. Tape libraries offer a unique advantage through the “air gap” principle. If the data is not actively mounted or connected to the network, it becomes significantly harder for cybercriminals to access. This added layer of security is a major reason why tape continues to play a vital role in enterprise data protection strategies, and why DES Technologies continues to support tape solutions for long-term archival and secure storage.
When it comes to LTO tape versus hard drives, where do you see the future heading?
It’s less about competition and more about coexistence. In most modern IT environments, disk and tape work together as part of a tiered storage strategy. Applications determine where data should reside based on access needs, performance, and retention requirements. Disk storage does face physical limitations in terms of capacity growth within a given form factor. LTO tape, on the other hand, offers an enormous areal footprint because each cartridge contains hundreds of meters of tape. Even with ongoing improvements in disk density, LTO technology continues to benefit from its physical design advantages. With a roadmap already extending to future generations like LTO-12, tape is positioned to remain a core archival and long-term storage solution.
Looking back on your career, what has been the highlight?
The technology itself has always been fascinating, especially diving into the technical design advantages of different storage solutions. But the real highlight has been working with IT professionals across industries and learning how they manage and protect their data. Some deals we won, some we didn’t, but the collaborative effort to solve real storage and data protection challenges is what stands out the most.
What technological advancements do you hope to see that could transform the future of data storage?
Data growth continues to drive innovation. Every day, organizations generate more data than ever before. When one technology reaches its limits, another evolves to meet the demand. LTO tape has a strong development path for years ahead, with ongoing breakthroughs in capacity and performance. At the same time, new storage technologies are always being explored. The next major innovation could already be in development today.
With ransomware and data theft becoming more common, what are your thoughts on where cybersecurity and data protection are headed?
Ransomware and cybersecurity threats are top concerns for IT directors and business owners. These attacks are highly profitable for cybercriminals, which means they are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, attackers typically target the easiest entry points. This is where layered data protection strategies become essential. Tape solutions offer a critical advantage because offline or air-gapped data is far more difficult for hackers to access. Incorporating secure, offline backups as part of a comprehensive data protection strategy is one of the smartest moves an organization can make in today’s threat landscape.
For more insights on data backup, storage strategies, and industry trends, you can follow Pat on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/DR4SME
