The concept of self-storage evolved around 6000 years ago when the Chinese used to store their valuables in clay pits. These clay pits were used around a century ago as they offered greater security during war times. After World War II, people who relocated used to dig the soil to find clay pits. Most of the clay pits had gold biscuits.
The Industrial Era
The concepts of self-storage during the industrial era were quite similar to the primitive eras. During the industrial era, people used storage shelves and boxes to store their valuables in homes. In the organizations, the businessmen relied on the concept of storage-in-storage. In this concept, the industrialists secured their valuable in a self-storage box and the box was kept in a secured and restricted area/room.
The primary security tool used in the industrial era was a lock and key. After the invention and global dispersion of electricity, people started using electric locks instead of the manual ones. Another kind of self-storage boxes during this era includes the hidden boxes. The box was designed to fit in a hidden place. Most of the rich people used this technique to hide the boxes inside the walls. The undercover agents and serial killers also used this technique. However, these boxes were easily accessible and did not provide greater security.
The Information Era
A report by IBM states that modern self-storage boxes serve the purpose of self-management in heterogeneous environments. The evolution of technology and the expansion of small business investment are the primary factors to influence the evolution of self-storage in information era. A 2015 Wall Street Journal’s article states that self-storage is a booming industry and recession-resistant. Following are the key factors of this booming industry.
Data Security
The data was stored on paper files before the information era. After the invention of artificial intelligence technology, the data was stored in the computers and on hardware devices like Floppy discs (previously), USBs, and such. The techniques of theft shifted from breaking the locks to corrupting the computer files. A new technology i.e. cloud servers became the saviors, but the cloud servers also took the pressure of file corruptibility along with the data. The data security systems include biometric technology, retina scan, and customizable coding to restrict common access to the servers.
Software Application for Smart Security
Smart security is the most modern concept in self-storage. The smart security device including a smart lock, smart key, and smart alarm are interconnected with a smart device like smart watch or smart phone through a software application. The smart security device sends messages and updates, captures images, changes the entrance codes automatically (if customized to do), and reject unauthorized access. Smart security devices are applicable for the security of cloud servers, domestic, house gates, office buildings, and everywhere else. These devices can also connect with GPS-vehicles.
The speed of evolution of self-storage in information era has set seemingly impossible milestones. The security service providers need to update their self storage security systems after every five years. We can expect that the future of smart security will include touchable holograms, fingerprint passwords and retina scan entrance connected with national databases.