What is data backup?

Data backup refers to the process of copying or archiving the data for being able to restore it in case of equipment failure or data loss.

Data loss commonly occurs because of accidental deletion of files, system crash, malware attack, etc. data backup can be done in physical drives, or in the cloud. Loss of data can be very costly to organizations. Therefore, having the proper backup and keeping the backup in a safe place is very essential so that in case of any disaster, you easily access and recover the data from backup.

Reason to backup data

Here the reasons why you should regularly back up the data:

• Makes you work smarter by saving the time in rebuilding the data and doing the work twice in case of any failure.
• It is necessary to prevent data loss by saving important files and records.
• Gives peace of mind even in case of a disaster because of a proper backup.
• Keeps downtime minimum by helping you to restore from failure and saving time.
• Helps to keep essential business functions run smoothly by recovering from loss immediately.

Backup strategy

The first step in making a backup strategy is to identify the system requirements. Identify what exactly needs to be backed up and how often it needs to be backed up, then identify the cost which will be required in performing the backup. Also, consider the security factor as well when using a third-party backup solution.

Choose a data backup solution that best fit your needs. Here are a few factors you should look in when choosing a backup solution:

• Easy to set up and manage
• Cost-effective
• Storage capacity
• Scalability
• Quick recovery
• Easily accessible

Types of backup

Full backup

It performs the complete backup of the data you specified. They are time-consuming and require a lot of storage space. Mostly it is used as an initial backup.

Incremental backup

It performs the backup of the files modified after the last backup was performed. It reduces the amount of time and storage.

Differential backup

It performs the backup of the files modified after the last full backup was performed. It is slower than the incremental backup.

Ways to backup data

Cloud storage

Cloud storage allows you to backup your data to a remote location in the cloud which users can access anytime from any place. Many cloud storage offers free services up to a specific limit

Most commonly used cloud services are Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc. Some of its features are:

• Secured
• Easily accessible
• Budget-friendly

External Hard Drive

For small setups, using an external hard drive is also a good option. Most hard drives include backup software with them. Some of its features are:

• Easy to use
• Reasonable price
• Plenty of storage space

USB Flash Drive

USB flash drive is the eldest and common method used to back up the data. Because of its small size and portability, you can take it anywhere. It is suitable for backup in small environments.

Some of its features are:

• Low cost
• Portable
• Quick and Very Easy to use
• Not suitable for large backups

NAS Device

NAS is a single data storage device that is connected on a network over Ethernet and can be used for data storage and backup. Multiple users can connect to the NAS device to access the backup simultaneously.

• Multiple user access
• Have their own cloud servers
• Access to remote users via the internet

StarWind Deduplication Analyzer

One issue that occurs with most backups is the duplication of data that takes up a lot of space. StarWind Deduplication Analyzer resolves the issue by removing the redundant data copies and minimizes the storage overhead.

In this article, I have shown you the types of backup, ways to backup data, and making the backup strategy to choose the best backup solution that best fit your needs.