In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention, a method for comparing a first unit of data stored in a first storage system and a second unit of data stored in a second storage system is provided. The method comprises generating a first digest that represents the first unit of data, generating an initial value associated with the first unit of data, and deriving an encoded value using the first digest and the initial value. The method further comprises transmitting the encoded value from the first storage system to the second storage system, generating a second digest that represents the second unit of data, and deriving a decoded value using the second digest to decode the encoded value. The method also comprises transmitting the decoded value from the second storage system to the first storage system, and determining whether the first unit of data and the second unit of data are duplicates of one another by comparing the decoded value and the initial value. Systems are also disclosed.