WORM
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer Hardware
| Stands for | Write once, read many |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
WORM stands for Write once, read many, a computer hardware abbreviation.
Storage that can be written once but not modified or deleted afterward, used to keep records tamper-proof for legal, financial and medical compliance. It exists as optical discs, special tape cartridges and software "object lock" features in cloud storage.
Example: Broker-dealer emails must be retained in WORM storage to satisfy SEC rules.
Usage notes
US SEC Rule 17a-4 has long required broker-dealers to keep certain records in non-rewritable, non-erasable form, a major driver of WORM products. CD-R and DVD-R discs are physical examples. Cloud services such as Amazon S3 Object Lock and Azure immutable blobs provide WORM retention that even administrators cannot bypass until the period expires.
Related abbreviations
More computer hardware abbreviations
- ADF – Automatic document feeder
- AGP – Accelerated Graphics Port
- AHCI – Advanced Host Controller Interface
- AIO – All-in-one computer
- ALU – Arithmetic logic unit
- APU – Accelerated processing unit
- ARM – Advanced RISC Machines
- ATX – Advanced Technology eXtended
- BMC – Baseboard management controller
- CD-R – Compact Disc Recordable
- CD-ROM – Compact Disc Read-Only Memory
- CD-RW – Compact Disc ReWritable