A Risk Assessment of Piql Services by FFI

As the piqlBoxes are not water-proof, the piqlFilms are subjected to prolonged exposure to extremely filthy water full of mud, debris and decaying organic material. As mentioned, the exact effects are not clear, but we can safely assume that neither the polyester nor the gelatine emulsion on the piqlFilm will hold up long under these conditions. The gelatine would likely dissolve, and all of the piqlFilms would be damaged beyond repair.

Film

Along with the rest of the city, the power supply to the piqlVault is cut off during the course of the flood.

Power/energy supply

Neither the temperature, nor the humidity levels are upheld, as the power supply to keep the ventilation system running is cut. That, however, makes no difference once water fills the entire space of the storage room. The change in temperature and relative humidity will not cause much damage; the filthy water will.

Divergence from

ISO standard

Security mechanisms

The gelatine emulsion of the PiqlFilms exposed to the filthy water will almost certainly completely dissolve. This entails damage beyond repair, and the data will be lost. It will no longer be possible to verify the integrity of the information.

Integrity

See over. The information will no longer be available to the owner once it becomes evident the information on the piqlFilms cannot be saved.

Availability

See over. Although information will no longer be accessible to the data owner, neither will it be accessible to anybody else. Confidentiality thus remains intact, as no one else can or will read the material. All the piqlFilms in the vault were left without proper security regarding access control when the doors were forced open by the pressure of the water and could hypothetically have been accessed by others at this time. Due to circumstances outside of human control, however, the films remained inaccessible and thus confidential.

Confidentiality

Immunity (against attacks on the above mentioned)

The Piql Preservation Services is not immune to attacks on availability or integrity.

Recommendations

The piqlVault is more vulnerable to the effects of flooding when it is placed in the lower floors of a building, hence the recommendation is to place it higher up in areas prone to flooding. As this scenario has illustrated that one cannot in the future always know whether one is in an area prone to flooding or not, additional measures should be in place. These could include a sealed bag around the piqlBox. Another measure

Recommended protective measures

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FFI-RAPPORT 16/00707