Digital Data to Double Every 18 Months

Digital data stored worldwide now totals more than 487 billion GB, according to a study by the International Data Corporation (IDC). The digital content is also predicted to double in only 18 months and every 18 months thereafter.

IDC also predicts that 600 million more people will begin using the Internet, while email, instant messaging, and social networks will increase eight-fold. Currently, more than 30% of information created today is security-intensive. In two years, that number should jump to 45%.

According to the research, the future of digital data will include much more regulation and government insight due to the financial collapse – which will likely mandate much stricter recordkeeping compliance and digital information.