LEARN ABOUT DECENTRALIZED STORAGE

Decentralized storage, often called DeStor, is an innovative way to store data securely across multiple computers or nodes rather than relying on a single central server. By breaking data into smaller pieces and spreading them across a network, decentralized storage ensures privacy, security, and resilience while reducing reliance on centralized storage providers.

In traditional cloud storage, files are stored on centralized servers controlled by a single provider (like Google, Amazon or Dropbox). In decentralized storage, however, files are divided into small pieces (fragments or shards) and encrypted for security. These encrypted pieces are then distributed across a network of computers, or nodes, around the world.

Each node stores a small part of the original file, making it impossible for any single node to access the complete data. When a user wants to retrieve their file, the network reassembles it from the scattered pieces. This process involves complex algorithms and secure cryptographic techniques to ensure data integrity and privacy.

Decentralized storage plays a critical role for developers and organizations that demand more control and privacy over their data. Common applications include:

• Data Backup and Archiving: Decentralized storage allows individuals and organizations to store backups securely and access them from anywhere, reducing dependency on central servers that could fail or go offline.
• Content Distribution: For media and content-heavy applications, decentralized storage offers a faster, more efficient way to deliver content to global audiences without central bottlenecks.
• Censorship-Resistant Information: Journalists, activists, and others can store and share information safely, especially in regions with limited information freedom.
• Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN): DePIN creates scalable alternatives to centralized computation, storage, and telecommunications networks. Decentralized storage network, Filecoin, is one of the broadest-reaching DePIN projects on the planet coordinating 3,000 storage provider systems around the world to contribute 7.8 exbibytes of raw storage capacity to the network.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Decentralized storage supports IoT networks, where millions of devices require secure, efficient ways to store and access data without depending on central servers.

Today, cloud storage is how most organizations store their data. It provides a secure way for companies to host data they may need to access remotely and share between multiple verified users. On the surface, it seems like a viable solution for an organization, but closer inspection reveals several potential flaws, including:

• Centralization: All data is stored with a single company, and often in one or very few geographical locations. This exposes servers to geopolitical, natural disaster, and security risks.
• Fragility: Cloud storage services can isolate data from the people that own it by limiting its transferability. With companies typically invested in a single vendor, these lock-ins can become a concern for those who wish to maintain multiple instances of their data.
• Cost: Enterprise data storage on the cloud has varying rates. Lock-ins tend to reduce the ability of organizations to negotiate prices, creating high-friction markets.

Decentralized storage networks like Filecoin provide a compelling alternative to these shortfalls. Decentralized storage offers enterprises all the utilities they’ve come to expect from cloud storage services without the vulnerabilities that are inherent to a centralized data storage system. Among its benefits are:

• Decentralization: there’s no single-point-of-failure and no proprietary lock-in. Data can be spread across multiple storage providers around the globe who guarantee its permanence and availability in the face of any individual risk.
• Durability: Cryptographic data is verified daily and multi-copy architecture means there’s always redundancy built into the system.
• Efficiency: Decentralized storage is cheaper than cloud storage because of a competitive bidding system that forms the core of the infrastructure. Data can be stored closer to the edge.

Decentralized storage is being adopted by wide range of organizations.

• Research: CERN, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Center, SETI Institute, Cancer Imaging Archive.
• Web3: Solana, Cardano, OpenSea, Zora, Lab Dao.
• Academia: UC Berkeley, University of Utah, MIT, Georgetown University.
• AI: Io.net, Lumino, Bagel, Intuizi.

Yes. DePIN, or Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, leverage blockchain and decentralization to support the maintenance and implementation of physical networks. DePIN spans diverse use cases including cloud storage, energy infrastructure, and wireless internet.