Data backup
Data backup is the creation of copies of files, systems and databases on a separate medium or in the cloud. The procedure protects information from loss due to technical failures, viruses or accidental deletion, allowing you to restore the original state.
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What is data backup in simple words
Data backup is the process of creating copies of your important files, documents, photos and systems to keep them safe in case something goes wrong. It is like insurance for your digital data.
Imagine that you have been writing a book for a year. If your laptop breaks down or you accidentally delete a file, without a backup copy you will lose a year of work. With a backup copy you simply restore the file and continue from where you left off.
Backup protects information from many threats: hard drive failure, ransomware viruses, device theft, user errors, fires and other force majeure events. According to statistics, more than 60% of companies that lost their data close within 6 months. Backup is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity.
Read about how to protect data in the cloud in the article Cloud security.
Main types of backup
1. Full backup
Absolutely all selected data is copied. This is the most reliable, but also the slowest method — it takes a lot of disk space and time. It is used to create a baseline copy against which changes are later compared.
2. Incremental backup
Only those files that have changed since the last copy of any type are saved. Takes minimal space and works fastest. Restoring requires the last full copy and all incremental copies in order.
3. Differential backup
Files that have changed since the last full copy are saved. Takes more space than incremental, but restores faster — only the full copy and the last differential copy are needed.
The golden rule of backup 3-2-1
This is the generally accepted backup standard that guarantees maximum data safety:
- 3 copies of data — keep at least three versions of your files: one working original and two backup copies.
- 2 different types of media — place copies on physically different devices (for example, on an internal hard drive and an external SSD or cloud).
- 1 copy offsite — keep at least one of the backup copies outside the home or office (a cloud storage or a disk in another location will do).
This rule eliminates the “single point of failure”: if one of the hard drives fails or a local accident occurs, your data will remain safe thanks to the remaining copies. Read about how this rule is applied in business in the article Infrastructure.
How to set up backup
For home (personal data)
- Cloud services: Google Drive, Yandex Disk, iCloud — automatically synchronize your files and photos. Set up synchronization once, and the data will be saved automatically.
- External hard drive: Copy all important files to an external drive once a month. This will protect the data even if the cloud service becomes unavailable.
- Built-in OS tools: Time Machine on macOS, File History in Windows — automatically create backup copies of the system.
For business
- Server backup: Use specialized solutions (Veeam, Acronis) for backing up servers and databases.
- Cloud backups: Store copies in cloud services (Amazon S3, Yandex Cloud, VK Cloud) for additional protection.
- Regularity: Set up scheduled automatic backup — daily for active data, weekly for archives.
Read about how to choose a solution for business in the article Infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
What is backup in simple words?
Backup is creating copies of your important files in case they are lost. It is like insurance for your data. If you accidentally delete a file, your computer breaks down or a virus encrypts your data, you can restore everything from a backup copy. Read about data protection in the article Cloud security.
What types of backup are there?
Three main types: full (all data is copied), incremental (only changes since the last copy) and differential (changes since the last full copy). Full is the most reliable, but slow. Incremental is the fastest and most economical. Differential is a compromise between them. Read about setting up backups in the article Infrastructure.
What is the 3-2-1 rule?
This is the golden rule of backup: 3 copies of data (original + 2 backups), 2 different types of media (for example, an external disk and the cloud), 1 copy offsite (outside the home or office). This guarantees that you will not lose data even in case of serious problems. Read about applying the rule in the article Infrastructure.
Where to store backup copies?
The best option is to combine different places: cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex Disk, iCloud) for automatic synchronization, external hard drives for local storage and remote storage (a server in another city or a second cloud). The 3-2-1 rule recommends storing copies in different places on different media.
How often should you do backup?
The frequency depends on how often your data changes. For everyday documents and work files — daily. For personal photos and videos — once a week. For system backups — once a month. Set up automatic backup so you do not forget to do it. Read about setting up automation in the article Low-code.
What happens if you do not do backup?
If you do not do backup, you risk losing all your data in case of a system failure, disk failure, virus attack or device theft. According to statistics, more than 60% of companies that lost their data close within six months. For individuals, the consequences are the loss of family photos, documents and work files. Read about protection from viruses in the article Antivirus software.
How to restore data from a backup?
Restoring depends on where the copy is stored. In cloud services, you need to log into your account and download the necessary files. On an external disk — connect it to the computer and copy the files back. For system backups, use built-in tools (Time Machine on macOS, System Restore in Windows). Read more about restoring in the article Infrastructure.
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