Month: July 2025

Milind Borkar MD, Systematica Suyog Security Consultants (Sr. Consultant & Security Expert) Computer storage systems have seen a massive evolution and transformation over the last 100 years or so. These changes have been dramatic in relation to the size, price and the access speed of storage. These changes have been possible due to the rapid advances in technology, which was initially slow and took years to evolve but later in the last decade it accelerated due to rapid innovations and concerted/ collaborative efforts of the industry giants. These technology advances have revolutionized the way companies, businesses and consumers use storage technologies today –y from the most ubiquitous smart phone devices and personal computers to all the way to businesses which now have come to rely more on cloud storage services. In this article we try to capture the evolution of storage technologies over the years and examine the fundamental technical reason that has accelerated storage evolution over the last decade. Storage evolution over the last 70 years relative to size, capacity and price The table below highlights the trends in storage. Initially, the advances in technology were slow, mostly led by IBM in the 60s and 70s in the Megabyte revolution. In the 80s and 90s other companies jumped on the storage bandwagon and started the Gigabyte revolution soon to be followed by the Terabyte revolution. Today there are many physical form factors of storage devices from the traditional mechanical hard disk drives (HDD) to non-volatile memory (NVM) or solid-state devices (SSD); however, the fastest and most dynamic revolution is occurring in the cloud. Storage Technology Evolution over the last 100 years (Another View) There is another view of understanding the evolution of storage technology as well. The diagram below is a pictorial representation of the other view how storage technologies have evolved over the last 100 years. The fastest growing storage technology today Today, most storage systems use some or the other form of a mechanical device for storage which is otherwise known as ‘hard disk drives’ (HDD). HDDs are the dominant technology for several reasons such as very high recording density per platter, more than one platter per HDD, higher rotational speeds up to 15000 RPM for enterprise class drives, and reduced costs due to economies of scale. However, they do have inherent disadvantages owing to further recording density increase has hit the limits of the physical space, increasing the rotational speed of the platter increases the cost exponentially, and being a mechanical device it is bound to physically fail due to all the moving parts. A single HDD with a single platter at 15000 RPM can at most deliver a transfer speed of 100MB/s for sequential block reads, and for the random reads for the same configuration, transfer speed drops down to as low as 10MB/s Given the inherent limitations of mechanical storage devices and the rapid drop in prices of non-volatile memory (NVM), NVM is the next revolution in storage. It is found in almost all mobile devices and now continues to replace mechanical devices across the board. There are several reasons for this – they are now cost competitive with HDDs per terabyte of storage capacity and this price parity will continue to erode in favor of NVM in the coming years; NVM technology is far more reliable in the longer term because it has no moving parts; NVM is over 100 times faster than HDD and has similar transfer speeds for both sequential and random reads/writes unlike HDDs; and micro-second read/ write latency compared to milli-second latency for HDDs. Companies like Intel and Samsung have now developed NVM technologies that are 3 dimensional – it means increased storage density per cubic measure of volume without any performance degradation. The first system implementations of NVM were found to be SSDs that use the Serial ATA Protocol or SATA. The reason behind this was very simple. They achieve a 100-fold increase in transfer speeds relative to HDD immediately without changing the upper level small computer systems interface (SCSI) protocol. The SCSI protocol is over 4 decades old and is used by all I/O protocols such as fiber channel etc. All major operating systems also support the SCSI protocol. So for the industry’s quick gain, it was easy to replace the HDD with an NVM based SSD. The next disruption was soon born because the SCSI protocol and its associated software stack were very heavy as far as execution time was concerned. This SCSI protocol overhead directly impacted latency of reads and writes which is detrimental to high performance applications such as high frequency trading, small transactions in banking, and numerous database applications for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Thus, an industry working group was formed to address the latency problem associated with the SCSI protocol. The industry came up with a new protocol which takes advantage of the native speed of NMV. They completely eliminated the SCSI protocol to define a new protocol called NVMe (Non-Volatile-Memory Express) protocol. In this protocol, the NVM device is directly attached to the I/O PCI express bus hence the extension ‘e’ in NVM. This eliminates the need to have the traditional hardware and firmware that resides in a host bus adapter (HBA) along with HBA itself. The following diagram illustrates this concept Latest NVM highlights ● PCIe Gen1 is 2.5 gbps per lane per direction. Today’s SSDs pack Gen3x2 or Gen3x4 (8 Gbps x 2 or 4 lanes = upto 32 Gbps) bandwidth in a very tiny M.2 gumstick form-factor. ● 3-D NAND and 3D-Xpoint NAND – DRAM-bandwidth at flash-economies – very low-latency flash (20us IO read/Write) latency compared to 200us latency for enterprise flash. ● New form-factor coming to pack TB of capacity – ‘ruler’ form factor from Intel. ● NVMe enables performance scaling with the increase in capacity – traditionally denser HDD did not bring any performance improvement. ● NVMe over TCP enables low-cost SAN deployment compared to Infiniband, RoCE, iWarp or FC. ● NVMe allows dual-ported…

As urban centers continue to expand, buildings are evolving into far more than just places of work or residence. Today, architectural facades are becoming dynamic digital canvases that captivate passers-by and spark conversation. Traditionally, large-scale LED displays were seen as costly and energy-hungry, but the global shift toward sustainability has spurred innovative solutions that balance striking visuals with eco-friendly design. Rethinking traditional building displays Older building displays were often notorious for their high energy consumption. While LEDs are generally more energy-efficient than traditional lighting like incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, early LED displays didn’t fully realize that advantage due to technical limitations. Firstly, they lacked efficient thermal management, causing excessive heat generation that wasted energy (and also shortened component lifespan). Secondly, inefficient power supplies and imprecise voltage control led to further waste, especially when static or bright-white content forced RGB diodes to run constantly at maximum intensity. As a result, early LED displays could consume up to 1,000 watts per square meter, leading to high electricity costs and a large carbon footprint. Maintenance added another layer of difficulty. Many legacy systems were large, hard to service, and required extensive time for repairs or recalibration. These concerns underscored the urgent need for solutions that could reduce operational costs while aligning with sustainability goals. Turning to green LED solutions Recent innovations in LED technology have ushered in a new era of energy-efficient, adaptable, and environmentally friendly building displays. A key innovation is in thermal design such as flip-chip COB technology, which can reduce device temperature by 5-10°C and power consumption by around 45%. This improvement stems from flip-chip COB architecture, where LED chips are mounted directly onto the substrate, eliminating traditional wire bonds. This design minimizes thermal resistance, allowing heat to dissipate more efficiently and lowering junction temperatures. These enhancements bring down heat output and energy use. Precise voltage control, enabled by common cathode setup, further enhances efficiency by powering each RGB diode individually. Compared to conventional common anode design, this new approach reduces energy consumption, all while maintaining the vibrant, high-definition visuals demanded by today’s audiences. Softwaredriven management and control offer another key path to energy savings. Smart content management systems such as Hikvision’s PixMaster intelligent engine, dynamically adjust brightness and contrast based on content and ambient light conditions. This ensures the display uses only the power it needs, optimizing energy efficiency without sacrificing visual performance. Additionally, robust aluminum shells protect components from harsh weather, ensuring long-term durability and reducing maintenance frequency. These innovations make modern LED displays a reliable investment and contribute to minimizing waste. A real-world example of sustainability in action The transformative potential of these innovations can be seen in the case of Kamir’s new office building in Croatia. Faced with an outdated system that consumed excessive energy and lacked versatility, Kamir installed a 26-square-meter outdoor LED video wall using Hikvision’s P6 Outdoor Fixel LED technology. Featuring flip-chip COB and common cathode designs, the new system is an energy- efficient display, reducing energy consumption by 45% while maintaining stunning visual clarity. The installation’s intelligent energy management system adjusted brightness in real time, optimizing power use without compromising clarity. Its robust construction ensured reliable performance across Croatia’s varied weather conditions. Besides, the commercial LED display’s dynamic content capabilities attracted sponsors and advertisers, transforming the façade into a revenue-generating platform. This upgrade not only enhanced Kamir’s brand visibility but also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability. The global pursuit of greener solutions is redefining expectations across industries, and building displays are no exception. By adopting energy-efficient LEDs, smart content management, and durable designs, leaders like Hikvision are helping property owners transform energy- intensive displays into key components of sustainable strategies. Each installation marks progress toward a future where technology not only captivates but also benefits cities and communities. As more businesses recognize the long-term advantages, sustainable displays will become a cornerstone of urban design. Explore more about our LED display solutions and sustainability-focused innovations. Read More

Major Sadhna SinghConsultant As India rapidly advances towards becoming a digital powerhouse through smart cities, public safety systems, and ambitious Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) missions like India Stack and CoWIN, the invisible foundation of this transformation is the reliability of its hardware. Among the most critical components are Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), the quiet workhorses storing vast volumes of surveillance footage, citizen data, and mission-critical system logs. But what if this very foundation is quietly being compromised? India’s backdoor hardware invasion India is witnessing a stealthy influx of used, refurbished, and end-of-life (EoL) hard drives, often mis-declared as new to evade regulatory controls. These HDDs enter through loopholes in trade classification, mostly without any quality checks, manufacturer credentials, or safety certifications. Many arrive under Harmonized System (HSN) Code 84717020, which is designated for new storage devices, thus circumventing licensing requirements under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and violating E-Waste Management Rules. On paper, India doesn’t prohibit refurbished HDD sales, but their import is tightly regulated. In practice, however, grey market players exploit the regulatory blind spots, resulting in a digital time bomb quietly ticking across our surveillance systems, government servers, and public sector installations. The numbers tell a troubling story ● Over 3.3 million HDDs, many suspected to be used, were imported in FY 2023-24, outnumbering imports by authorized OEMs. ● In just the first nine months of FY 2024-25, an additional 1.9 million units were imported, suggesting a thriving grey market. ● Hyderabad Air Cargo alone accounts for up to 90% of these imports in recent months, with others entering via Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai. ● Top source countries include Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and the US, notorious hubs for global e-waste dumping. Declared import prices, sometimes as low as USD11-20 per unit, are a fraction of the legitimate OEM cost (USD70-90). The under-invoicing not only implies massive tax evasion but also points to deep-rooted misdeclaration networks. A. Port-wise import volumes B. Country of origin National security and cyber risks These aren’t just dodgy business practices. They’re national security vulnerabilities. Unlike surveillance-grade HDDs designed for 24×7 operations, refurbished drives, typically desktop-grade and not meant for continuous workloads, fail prematurely. In sensitive environments like railway command centres, police control rooms, or border surveillance hubs, such failures could mean loss of critical footage during emergencies, be it a riot, a terrorist attack, or an industrial accident. Worse still, HDDs refurbished overseas may carry undetected firmware modifications, turning them into potential hardware backdoors. In an era where data is strategic capital, compromising hardware is equivalent to compromising sovereignty. The economic fallout Beyond the security risks, this grey market has led to: ● Crores in lost revenue due to customs duty evasion and GST shortfalls. ● Market distortion, where shady traders repackage used drives with new casings and stickers, selling them at inflated MRPs, sometimes even on government procurement platforms like GeM. ● Consumer fraud, with unsuspecting households and MSMEs believing they’ve bought new, warrantied products; when in reality, they’re buying used electronics with limited lifespan and no accountability. Environmental non-compliance The environmental cost is equally dire. India’s E-Waste Management Rules (2022) prohibit unregulated import of electronic waste. Many of these drives fail within months, turning into toxic waste streams without proper recycling mechanisms. Their import also potentially violates India’s obligations under the Basel Convention, which prohibits transboundary movement of hazardous e-waste disguised as usable goods. Storage is sovereignty In today’s world, sovereignty doesn’t just depend on borders, but on bytes. Trusted storage hardware is as vital as secure communications. From Aadhaar to AI models, from critical infrastructure to defence networks — our digital services rely on integrity at the hardware level. Allowing unknown, unverified HDDs to creep into our systems threatens confidentiality, availability, and integrity, the very pillars of cybersecurity. What needs to be done 1. Tighten the Legal Screws ● Issue clear DGFT and CBIC circulars reiterating licensing requirements for used HDDs. ● Move refurbished HDDs from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Prohibited’ category, except for OEMs under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). 2. Impose Minimum Import Prices Introduce import price floors (e.g., USD 35 for 1TB drives) to stop under- invoicing and restore fair trade practices. 3. Mandate Labelling and Traceability Make it mandatory for all imported HDDs to: ● Be BIS registered. ● Carry labels indicating ‘Refurbished’ status, country of origin, and refurbisher’s identity 4. Secure Public Procurement Platforms like GeM should: ● Create a separate refurbished electronics category. ● Ban usage of non-certified drives in critical surveillance and defence contracts. 5. Conduct Strategic Audits Ministries such as MeitY, MHA, and MoHUA should: ● Audit existing HDDs used in police and smart city projects ● Run firmware-level forensic checks to detect possible vulnerabilities ● Involve CERT-In and NTRO in cases of national security concern Conclusion: A call for a whole-of-government response What India faces today is not just a trade irregularity, but a strategic vulnerability. The silent flood of unauthorized, potentially compromised HDDs threatens our national security, digital trust, consumer protection, and environmental goals, all at once. This calls for a coordinated response from DGFT, CBIC, BIS, MeitY, MoEFCC, MHA, and GeM to plug gaps, ensure hardware integrity, and protect the digital spine of India. In the data age, storage is infrastructure, and infrastructure is sovereignty. Let’s not allow backdoors to be built into our nation’s future, drive by drive. Read More