Handling data is important for any business that relies heavily on computing technology. So, it is important for enterprises to understand what data backup is and recovery.
Data backup and recovery are two overlapping fields in handling data. They could have differences, but they both support one another. Backup is important in recovery as it is useful in salvaging damaged data. Recovery is important for backup as it is the primary purpose of why backups are made in the first place. So, knowledge on both fields is important in knowing what data backup is and recovery.
Data loss and breach could cause damage to one’s reputation and financial assets. So, businesses should be knowledgeable about data backup and recovery procedures.
Copying data to another storage is the simplest explanation of what is data backup. Data backup is one of the most fundamental elements of a data recovery plan. Since the hardware of a storage is fragile, data has a large chance of getting wiped out. So, any business that relies heavily on computers should always maintain data backup. Keeping these important data from getting lost is the purpose of what is data backup.
Data Backup Type #1: Full Backup
A full backup is when you keep a whole file or folder for backup. This means that not a single detail of data is missed in a full backup. This kind of backup is effective when whole files get destroyed. Since, you made a full backup of the file, you can easily recover it. The downside of this kind of backup, though, is it eats up time and storage space to make.
Data Backup Type #2: Incremental Backup
An incremental backup is when you backup only the changes since the last backup. So, you would only have to make a full backup once. Afterwards, you would only have to backup the changes. Knowing what is data backup and recovery in this way allows you to efficiently use storage. This is because making a backup of only the changes to files saves more storage and time than full backups.
Data Backup Type #3: Differential Backup
Differential backup is similar to incremental backup. Only that a differential backup backups the data since the last full backup, not the last backup. It uses storage and time more efficiently than a full backup. This is because you no longer have to make a full backup with a differential backup. However, differential backups use storage and time less efficiently than incremental backups. Incremental backup only backs up changes you made since the last backup, not the last full backup.
Data backup is essentially copying data from one storage to another. So, when your main storage loses its data for some reason, you can rely on the backup data.
There are two main ways to store data backup. One way is to use hardware such as a Fash Drive, Tapes, DVD/CD, NAS or External Storage Drives. Another way is to put it in a cloud storage. Businesses may have problems with scaling a storage hardware. So, they use cloud instead. Cloud storage is flexible and, thus, scalable. The capacity of cloud storage could be easily upgraded or downgraded. This makes cloud computing one of the most powerful data backup software. One of the examples of cloud storage used as a data backup software is Google Drive.
Things to Know About Data Recovery
Recovery is simply the processes and steps in recovering lost data.
There could be a lot of possible reasons behind data loss. Factors that naturally occur such as overheating, fire, Power surges, mechanical failure, malware attacks, natural disasters and human errors could also be factors. There are various ways on how you can recover lost data. First, is by relying on a backup data you made. A trend nowadays is making backup data in a secure cloud storage. Another way is to use data recovery software to salvage wiped out data. But, for worse cases, hiring a data recovery services provider is advisable.
Data loss is a serious threat to your data. You may have sensitive information within your storage spaces. Any loss or breach of this information could lead to your business’s demise. So, protect it by sketching your own data backup and recovery plan.
The SCARY Misunderstanding Most Business Owners Have About Their Backup System
Simply having a backup of your data is NOT ENOUGH to guarantee you could be back up and running fast in the event of a disaster. Having a data backup merely means that you have a copy of your company’s data stored somewhere; it does NOT mean you have a way to instantly restore your network back to normal – a shocking dose of truth most business owners discover after they’ve experienced a major network crash or data-erasing disaster.
So You Reach For Your Backup Only To Discover…
Your information is there, but without a server, you have nowhere to load that information, and no way to access it. On top of that, a backup only holds your data, not your operating system, settings, or software applications. So even if you can load the data, you can’t actually use it without re-loading all the software applications—no small feat. Even IF you have all the software disks and key codes (most people don’t), it could still take days — possibly weeks— to rebuild, and the costs can run into the thousands.