"Information Disaster Shelter" – A Lifestyle Where Each Person Protects Their Valuable Data

According to the United Nations, economic losses from natural disasters exceeded approximately $300 billion in 2017 (Source: United Nations Information Centre) and are projected to reach $431 billion by 2030 (Source: UNDP "Disaster Risk Reduction Makes Development Sustainable").

Typhoons account for nearly 60% of natural disasters in Japan, the highest proportion. The number of heavy rain events exceeding 50 mm of rainfall per hour has increased 1.4 times over the past 30 years (Source: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, "2019 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises"). Furthermore, the probability of a Nankai Trough earthquake or a major earthquake directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area occurring within the next 30 years is estimated to be around 70% (Source: Cabinet Office, "Disaster Countermeasures in Japan").

In a highly digitized society, the loss of power poses the risk of instantaneous data loss. While humanity has prepared for disaster risks since recorded history, new disaster countermeasures adapted to the digital transformation (DX) of daily life are now required.

In future society, households may be equipped with an "information disaster shelter" to protect their vital information. While an air-raid shelter protects family lives from air attacks, an "information disaster shelter" safeguards a household's critical data from disasters.

Essentially a kind of safe with its own independent power source, it can store family memories like photos and videos, music and movie collections, relatives' addresses and contact information, and details about assets and insurance within its internal storage. Even if submerged in water or exposed to fire, it preserves the information as long as power remains.

It is also effective for preserving analog information. While digital data is easily backed up, its robustness and lifespan depend on the storage medium. CDs and DVDs are said to be suitable for long-term storage, but their longevity is influenced by storage conditions and quality; they are not eternal. Deliberately converting important photos to printed paper or videos back to film can make data recovery easier when electricity is unavailable and devices cannot be used.

Maintaining social systems during disasters is the responsibility of nations and corporations. However, at the individual level, preparing for catastrophic disasters requires an "information disaster preparedness" mindset—protecting your data as you would your life. With rapid digitalization advancing today, isn't it time for households to seriously consider establishing their own "information disaster shelters"?

Future Prediction Support Lab: http://dentsu-fsl.jp/