Data backup is the process of duplicating data and storing it in a separate location to ensure availability in the event of data loss due to corruption or disaster.
In the early days of PCs, users would typically insert a floppy disk into the hard disk drive and then use DOS command prompts to select and copy specific files or folders. Backups often required multiple floppy disks because their storage capacity was limited.
As information technology (IT) evolved, external hard drives and USB flash drives became popular backup options because these storage devices had faster data transfer rates (DTRs) as well as more storage capacity. This marked a significant improvement in manual backups.
Since the turn of the century, the increasing shift from physical storage media to cloud storage for data backups has made automatic backups easier for users who have reliable Internet access.
How Data Backup Works
A data backup duplicates data and stores it in a separate location. Backups can be created manually, or they can be scheduled automatically with backup software.
Manual backups require the user to select which files or folders will be copied and choose the storage media and destination where the copy will be saved.
Backup software will automatically run backups at specific intervals without requiring user intervention. The user may be able to designate where the backups are stored.
Most modern operating systems (OSes) have some built-in backup functionality. If you require more advanced cybersecurity features or additional options for how to conduct and save data backups, third-party data backup solutions may be a better fit.
Third-party cloud backup services usually offer a wide range of backup types, more granular scheduling options, and more robust security features like encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA). While not all third-party solutions offer automatic data recovery, they generally provide a wider range of data recovery options than built-in tools.
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