Meaning
Data retention architectures prevent the deletion or modification of information once it has been recorded to a storage medium. A write once read many storage system ensures that electronic records remain in their original state for the duration of a mandatory holding period. This technology is frequently used in the financial and medical sectors where data integrity is a legal requirement.
Immutability Logic
Physical or software based locks block the rewrite command from reaching the storage sector after the initial save operation. Inside a write once read many storage environment, the firmware rejects any request to append or change a file that has already been finalized. This creates a permanent audit trail that can be used to prove that a document existed in a specific form at a specific time.
Compliance Standard
Regulators in the banking and securities industries often mandate the use of unalterable media for the preservation of trade logs and communication records. Because write once read many storage provides a defensible record of activity, it is often required by the SEC or equivalent bodies during a formal investigation. Failure to use this type of media can result in heavy fines for institutions that cannot prove the authenticity of their transaction history and the origin of their digital records.
Hardware Constraint
Optical discs were the traditional choice for this type of record keeping, but modern cloud providers now offer software defined equivalents. A write once read many storage configuration on a magnetic or flash drive requires a hardened controller that cannot be bypassed by an administrator with high level access. By removing the ability to delete logs, the company protects itself from internal tampering and external cyber attacks that aim to hide unauthorized changes.