A computer-implemented method for database management is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a client device , first data to be stored in a database system that comprises first data storage configured to store a data table and a deletion history table; storing the first data in second data storage that is external to the database system and that is in communication with the database system via a network; obtaining a link that enables access, via the network, to the first data stored in the second data storage; storing the link in the data table; and performing a deletion operation of the first data, in response to a request from the client device to delete the first data from the database system, wherein the deletion operation comprises: deleting the link from the data table without deleting the first data from the second data storage; and storing the link in the deletion history table with a timestamp corresponding to a point in time when the link is deleted from the data table.