Bakups

Bakups are copies of data, configurations, or entire systems stored separately from the original to enable recovery after loss, corruption, hardware failure, or cyber incidents. They support continuity, data integrity, and resilience across personal, business, and organizational contexts.

Bakups can be categorized by scope: full backups capture all selected data; incremental backups save only changes since the last backup; differential backups record changes since the last full backup; and mirror or synthetic backups reproduce a live system or data set.

Effective bakup strategies combine storage media and locations to mitigate risk. The 3-2-1 rule is a common guideline: retain three copies of data on two different media, with at least one copy stored offsite or in the cloud. Scheduling, versioning, and automation streamline operations and reduce the chance of human error.

Backup lifecycles include creation, verification, retention, and secure disposal. Regular restore tests validate recovery procedures and help detect corruption. Retention policies balance recovery needs with storage costs and compliance requirements, such as data privacy or regulatory retention periods.

Security and integrity are essential for bakups: data should be encrypted in transit and at rest, access restricted, and backups protected from tampering through checksums or signing. Organizations should document policies, perform audits, and train staff to prevent improper handling and ensure reliable recovery when needed.