Hard disk – lasts for around three to six years. Data is read or written on these with the use of magnetic platters, which spin at a high velocity. The disadvantage of the platters spinning at high speeds is that the performance of the disk degrades over a period of time.

Magnetic Tape – lasts for around ten to twenty years. It is the most popularly used device for data back up media for enterprise storage. It is ideal due to its high writing speed, large storage capacity (above 1 terabyte) and flexibility.

Magnetic disc – lasts for around one to five years. These are used for provisional backup storage purposes and transport of data. The disadvantage of using these is that they are easily affected by adverse conditions like high temperatures, thereby, suffering physical and data degradation.

Optical disc – lasts for around ten to hundred years. The widely used optical storage media like CD-Rom, CD-R, DVD-ROM and DVD-R, are much more durable than the magnetic tapes and discs. However, the longevity depends on the protective coating, e.g. the CD-R does not last as long as the high-priced DVD-R that has a denser coating of dye. Hence, the CD-R lasts only for a maximum ten years whereas the other lasts between seventy to hundred years.Static memory – lasts for around fifty to hundred years. Data is stored in the pen drives or thumb drives and the CompactFlash memory cards with the use of static RAM. These are costly but better protected and more durable than the other storage media devices due to their static character.