Data is stored using multiple selected network nodes in a network based on encoding of the data into multiple distinct encoded data units according to a prescribed encoding operation. The secure encoding operation generates a first prescribed number of encoded data units, whereas merely a second prescribed number of the encoded data units are necessary for recovery of the original data, the second prescribed number being less than the first prescribed number. The encoded data units are distributed among selected network nodes in a network, where any one network node receives less than the second prescribed number to ensure security. A requesting node recovers the original data by requesting the second prescribed number of encoded data units from among the network nodes having stored the respective encoded data units.