Data Backup Methods
Complete Backup A
This complete backup method always causes all data items to be copied to a new backup folder.
See Consecutive Complete Backups.
Advantages
- Direct availability of backed-up data in a contingency situation.
- Easy and quick restoration of backed-up data.
Disadvantages
- Requires a lot of time and storage space as compared to partial backups.
Complete Backup B
This complete backup method causes only modified and new data items to be copied to the same backup folder.
See Data Imaging.
Advantages
- Direct availability of backed-up data in a contingency situation.
- Easy and quick restoration of backed-up data.
- Doesn't require much time as compared to complete backup A.
Disadvantages
- Requires a lot of storage space as compared to partial backups.
Incremental Partial Backup
This causes only modified and new data items since the last partial backup to be copied to a new backup folder.
See Consecutive Partial (Incremental) Backups.
Advantages
- Requires little time and storage space.
Disadvantages
- Restoration of the backup rendered difficult and time-consuming as the complete backup and all partial backups are required.
Differential Partial Backup
This always causes all modified and new data items since the last complete backup to be copied to a new backup folder.
See Consecutive Partial (Differential) Backups.
Advantages
- Restoration of the backup is easier and quicker as compared to an incremental partial backup as only the complete backup and the last partial backup are required.
Disadvantages
- Requires a lot of time and storage space as compared to incremental partial backups.
What You Should Do to Ensure Protection of Your Data
- Complete backups onto storage media that are changed constantly afford you the best possible protection against data loss.
- Use at least two different storage media devices for your backups.
- Avoid making more than one backup in sequence on the same storage medium. Otherwise loss of the storage medium device will cause you to lose data covering an extended period of time.
- Complete backups of corporate data should be made as often as possible and the storage media stored at a secure location (e.g. bank vault) in order to protect against unforeseen events like theft or burglary.
- Protect your storage media against unauthorized access using encryption software. One option for this purpose: TrueCrypt.
Backup Strategy
From Monday to Thursday make a differential partial backup or complete backup onto a separate storage medium.
For the complete backup on Friday use two storage devices, making sure to store one of them (E or F) at a secure location.
Always back up more than one generation of your data onto each storage medium so that you can access older data assets in a contingency situation. If, for example, you store 4 generations of your data backups on each storage device, you can always access the data covering the last 4 weeks.
Weekly Backup
- Monday: data backup on storage medium A
- Tuesday: data backup on storage medium B
- Wednesday: data backup on storage medium C
- Thursday: data backup on storage medium D
- Friday: complete backup on storage medium E or F
Always back up more than one generation of your data onto each storage medium so that you can access older data assets in a contingency situation. If, for example, you store 4 generations of your data backups on each storage device, you can always access the data covering the last 4 weeks.