Definition of a computer backup

Far from being an insignificant action, computer backup can save you from many problems and even disasters! We don't think about it enough, but what would we do if we lost all our company data? By ensuring regular and effective computer backups, you can prevent the loss of vital information. But what exactly is computer backup?

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Computer backup: definition

Computer backup is the process of protecting the data contained in your computer system by securing it, usually remotely from your own server.
There are several types of computer backup:

• Full backup
• incremental backup
• differential backup
• delta backup

Why is computer backup essential for business?

Who hasn't deleted a file by mistake, or made a mistake that makes it impossible to retrieve a file? To guard against all these eventualities, you need to make a copy of your computer data on an independent server.
Fire, theft, flood - you're not immune to damage caused by natural disasters or dishonest intrusion into your business, which could leave you destitute. That's why it's so important to choose the right backup method and establish a real backup strategy. Define the backups you wish to protect, the frequency with which they will be made, and the mode of action. And don't forget to draw up a data recovery plan to be applied in the aftermath of a disaster, so you're not left without resources and unable to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible.

The different types of backup

There are a number of ways of guaranteeing the continuity of your data. It's up to you to choose the one best suited to your business and the capabilities of your IT system. To give you a better idea, here are the backup options you can choose from:

Full backup

As the name suggests, this is the most comprehensive. It involves making a complete copy of all your data, which is then transmitted to a remote server or an external medium.
The plusses :

• It's the most faithful image of what your computer system contains.
• You'll be able to get an archiving function, i.e. you'll keep track of data modifications at a given time. Need to find a modification on a specific date?

The minuses:

• This type of computer backup can slow down your computer system, as the files can be very large.
• It also requires considerable storage space.

Incremental backup

With this type of backup, the aim is not to copy all your data, but to select only those elements that have been modified since the previous incremental backup. In fact, the backup selects the modified data and writes it to the new image. No need to rewrite your entire data set.
The plus :

• It's faster and much more efficient because it focuses on a smaller amount of data.
• Less storage space required.

The cons:

• To restore your computer system, you need all previous backups, which will eventually recreate the total backup. But beware of errors! Putting together a puzzle with missing pieces quickly shows its limitations.

Differential backup

This is based on the same principle as incremental backup, but only takes into account modified files. But the image retained for modifications is that of the last full backup. Files modified in between no longer count.
The plusses :

• More reliable than incremental backup.
• Data is recovered more quickly when you need to restore your computer system. No need to do a puzzle, since the last full backup is used.

The disadvantages:

• Takes longer than incremental backup.
• It also requires more storage space.

Delta backup

This is where we get down to the nitty-gritty. This is a backup of predefined elements. The focus is on a few items of information, not on a complete file.
Advantages :

• Doesn't require much storage space.
• Very fast.

Minuses:

• It's only useful when little data changes. In other words, for a company that works all week on its computer system, with numerous modifications, this backup will soon be insufficient.

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Criteria to consider when choosing your computer backup

Of course, before opting for a particular type of computer backup, you need to precisely define your needs and expectations. But you also need to choose an outsourced medium or backup software that will be adapted to the volume of data to be stored. You also need to think about the speed at which your data will be transferred, and how slow it will be on your system.

Make sure that the medium you select to store your data is truly reliable and secure. Also check how easy it will be to restore your data in the event of a glitch. You'll be in enough trouble that you won't have to go through hundreds of operations to restore your system. And last but not least, calculate the cost of this backup and take advantage of the competition!