A magnetic recording tape according to one embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks, each servo track comprising a series of magnetically defined bars, wherein an angle between at least some of the bars is greater than about 10 degrees, wherein an average height of the bars is less than 190 microns, wherein one of the servo tracks has data encoded therein, the data being selected from a group consisting of data for encryption and data for ascertaining a longitudinal position along the tape. A magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes at least about eight data bands, wherein each data band is defined between a pair of adjacent servo tracks, each pair of adjacent servo tracks defining only a single data band therebetween, wherein about eight to about twenty six data bands are present on the tape.