Google loses data as lightning strikes

[Priyanka]

Google says data has been wiped from discs at one of its data centres in Belgium - after it was struck by lightning four times. Some people have permanently lost access to their files as a result. A number of disks damaged following the lightning strikes did, however, later became accessible. Generally, data centres require more lightning protection than most other buildings. While four successive strikes might sound highly unlikely, lightning does not need to repeatedly strike a building in exactly the same spot to cause additional damage.

[sonia sharma]

"Although automatic auxiliary systems restored power quickly, and the storage systems are designed with battery backup, some recently written data was located on storage systems which were more susceptible to power failure from extended or repeated battery drain.

[NehaChandaliya]

The data center powers the Google Compute Engine, a service for business customers who rely on Google's m***ive servers to perform high-powered computing tasks. No consumer-facing services, such as Gmail, YouTube or Google Drive, were affected.