Backup Glossary
Terms & Definitions
Learn the key concepts behind backup, storage, security, and data protection.
3-2-1 Backup Rule
The 3-2-1 backup rule is a simple strategy that recommends having three copies of your data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite to protect against disasters.
Backup
A backup is a copy of your important files and data stored separately from the original, protecting you against data loss from accidents, hardware failure, or cyberattacks.
Cloud Backup
Cloud backup is a service that automatically copies your files to remote servers over the internet, keeping your data safe from local disasters and accessible from anywhere.
Compression
Compression is a technique that reduces backup file sizes by encoding data more efficiently, saving storage space and speeding up transfers without losing any information.
Content-addressable storage (CAS)
Content-addressable storage (CAS) is a data storage method where files are retrieved based on their content rather than their location, using unique cryptographic fingerprints to identify and deduplicate data.
Deduplication
Deduplication is a data compression technique that eliminates redundant copies of data, storing only unique pieces and saving significant storage space.
Differential Backup
A differential backup copies all files changed since the last full backup, striking a balance between storage efficiency and restore simplicity.
Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery is the process of restoring critical data and systems after unexpected events like hardware failure, cyberattacks, or natural disasters, with backups playing a central role in fast recovery.
End-to-End Encryption
End-to-end encryption is a security method that ensures only you can read your data by encrypting it on your device before it ever leaves, keeping it protected from everyone including backup providers and hackers.
Full Backup
A full backup creates a complete copy of all selected files and data, providing the most comprehensive protection and simplest restoration process.
Incremental Backup
An incremental backup only copies files that have changed since the last backup, making it fast and storage-efficient while keeping your data protected with minimal resource usage.
Local Backup
A local backup stores copies of your data on physical storage devices connected directly to your computer or network, providing fast access and complete control over your backups.
Offsite Backup
An offsite backup stores copies of your data in a physically separate location from your original files, protecting against disasters like fires, floods, and theft.
Ransomware
Ransomware is malicious software that locks or encrypts your files, demanding payment to restore access. Backups are your most reliable defense against ransomware attacks.
Retention
Retention is the policy that determines how long your backup data is kept before being deleted, balancing storage costs with your recovery needs and compliance requirements.
Snapshot
A snapshot is a point-in-time copy of your data that captures the exact state of files and systems at a specific moment, enabling fast recovery without copying everything again.