Write Once Read Many

Write Once, Read Many (alternatively Write One, Read Multiple or Write Once, Read Mostly or WORM) refers to computer data storage systems, data storage devices, and data storage media that can be written to once, but read from multiple times. [ [http://foldoc.org/?query=WORM Write-Once Read-Many definition from the Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing] ]

WORM does not include the original Compact Disc or CD-ROM, because they are pressed from master disks, and not writable by a computer.

Intrinsic WORM

WORM is an inherent property of some data storage media and devices, in which the storage medium is physically incapable of being rewritten. WORM storage media include CD-R and DVD-R. Older punched media such as punched cards and paper tape are WORM because the holes cannot be restored. Electronic circuits such as PROMs are also WORM.

Logical WORM

While WORM can be an inconvenient property when it comes to re-using recorded media, WORM was discovered as a desirable property for data backups and archives, to prevent erasure (accidental or deliberate) and tampering. Various regulatory agencies require data such as health information and transaction records to be archived reliably and securely over a long period of time. Therefore, WORM capability has been intentionally added to otherwise rewritable media such as magnetic tape data storage and hard disk drives. [ [http://www.fsl.cs.sunysb.edu/project-wormfs.html Write-Once Read-Many File Systems] ] The media can be written to, but the written portion immediately becomes read-only.

Media such as diskettes and 9 track tape, can be made read-only by enabling the write-protect tab or removing the write-enable ring, but these safeguards are easily defeated. Any media can be made read-only by physically securing it away from any drive that can write to that media. But each media is read-write until it is secured, and each media has to fill up before it becomes economical to secure it.

Software solutions are more versatile, as they can allow additional data to be written to the media until it is full, while disallowing erasure or overwriting of data already written. But they also require physical control of the media. Furthermore, the software must be audited, and computer systems must be configured to ensure that no other software can access the media.

Modern WORM systems overcome most problems by building a tested software solution into the cartridges, drives, controllers, or operating system. For removable media, the high-capacity drives are new enough that no available drive will violate the rules. Other features ensure that any data somehow overwritten in spite of restrictions will be detectable.

Storage systems which can restrict writing to one time only include: Super DLT [http://www.quantum.com/Products/TapeDrives/DLT/DLTSageWORM/Index.aspx] (Super DLT II is used for both standard and WORM operations, as demanded by the user), Linear Tape-Open (LTO), AIT, and various hard disk drive-based systems. Some of these systems allow re-use of recorded media.

Data destruction and tampering

Data can be destroyed by destroying the media, but the loss is visible. (The loss can be covered up by replacing the destroyed media with blank media.) Magnetic media can be erased or rendered unreadable by a strong magnetic field. Punched media can be invalidated by a few extra holes. Solid-state memory can be ruined by applying excess voltage. CD-R and DVD-R can be ruined by leaving them in sunlight or applying microwave radiation.

Punched media and PROMs are open to tampering because each bit is WORM, not the collected data. The data can be destroyed by writing every bit, or modified by changing selected unwritten bits. In punched media, all bits are 0 until punched to a 1. Holes can usually be added using a standard punch for that media. Holes cannot be filled in, or at least not nearly as easily. Punched media usually includes checksums for error detection, which also tends to detect tampering. In PROMS, all bits are usually 1 until they are burned to a 0, after which they cannot be restored to 1. Again, a checksum is the safeguard against errors and tampering.

Modern packaged WORM solutions could be bypassed by use of a rogue drive. Erasure is easy, but a magnet can do the same job. Modifying data is expected to be quite difficult, as the data are stored by possibly non-disclosed methods, or tracked by clever schemes that make rewriting even one block of data impossible to do undetectably. The strongest tool for a full medium might be copying the medium and writing a new copy to a new medium. But a separately stored checksum or an unalterable serial number on the medium would make the replacement detectable. Lastly, the data stream itself is most likely compressed AND encrypted, making it extremely difficult to modify.

References

See Also

* ROM
* Old World ROM

External links

* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BRZ/is_1_25/ai_n13783558 Tape-based WORM: the best choice for HIPAA-compliant storage] on Looksmart
* [http://news.softpedia.com/news/IBM-and-Sun-Introduce-New-One-terabyte-Storage-Tape-Drives-90084.shtml Sun StorageTek T10000B {1TB] Fiber Channel & IBM System Storage™ TS1130] , Softpedia