Data backup done right
In this article, we would like to introduce you to data security, which above all includes data backup. We will look at this explicitly here. This will enable you to back up your data reliably for years to come.
Table of contents
- What is data backup?
- Why can data be lost?
- Types of data backup.
- Incremental data backup.
- Differential data backup.
- Other data backups.
- How does proper data backup work?
What is data backup?
Data backup refers to storing your data in more than one way so that you still have it in the event of data loss. If data is lost, it can then be copied back. This allows you to protect important data over a long period of time and means you no longer need to worry about being unable to access it in any way.
Why can data be lost?
All electronic devices consist of many components. The part that stores the data is one of them. Since data is constantly being retrieved, saved or removed, the storage is under constant strain. Although it is specifically designed for this, it cannot be ruled out that at some point it may stop working due to the heavy load.
The computer, for example, stores its data on hard disks. These consist of magnetisable platters stacked on top of one another. A read/write head writes data to the hard disk or reads it out. In the event of shocks, this head can touch and scratch the platters. This can also destroy it.
Even electromagnetic fields can lead to data loss. In some cases, data loss can also occur during a power failure and the resulting improper shutdown. If your device is stolen or you accidentally delete important data, it is also important to have a backup.
Of course, all this sounds worse than it actually is. As a rule, data is lost very rarely. But unfortunately a low probability does not mean that it cannot happen. For this reason, you should back up at least your most important data regularly.
Types of data backup
There are several types of data backup. In the following section, we want to list the most important methods of backing up data for your data security and briefly explain them. We hope this will give you a better overview. The three most important types of data backup are:
- Full data backup
- Incremental data backup
- Differential data backup
With a full data backup, absolutely all data from the medium is saved to an external storage device. This ensures that all important files really are safe. However, rather unimportant data that is not necessarily needed is also saved. Accordingly, more storage space is required.
With recovery, the entire contents of a computer’s hard disks are saved to one or more DVDs. If something important is deleted and data is lost, the previous state can be restored with this. However, this method is not recommended for regular data backups. You would constantly have to write new DVDs with data. In the long run, this becomes expensive and time-consuming. For resetting to factory settings, however, this method is very well suited.
System images, also known as backups, are the states of the system at a specific point in time. The operating system, such as Windows 11 creates, if desired, images of all files, including the operating system, at specific intervals. The data can then be retrieved if necessary and the system reset to a specific point in time.
The restore point is very similar to a backup. Here, however, only certain files are saved. This saves a lot of storage space. At specific intervals, the system creates restore points of files. This makes it possible to retrieve older versions of folders, for example, without having to reset the entire system. If you reset the entire system using a restore point, new personal data is not deleted and is retained.
Incremental data backup:
Incremental data backup proceeds in stages. First, a full backup is performed. After that, only smaller backups are made from time to time. Data that has already been backed up is not saved again. Only the data that has changed since the last time is backed up.
This saves time and storage space. However, the effort involved in restoring is usually greater, as the backup is split into one full backup and several small data backups. First the file you are looking for has to be found, and then all the backups have to be restored one after the other.
Differential data backup:
Differential data backup is very similar to incremental data backup. Here, too, a full backup is performed first. Then, with each new backup, only the data that has changed since the full data backup is saved.
With incremental data backup, on the other hand, only the data that has changed since the last smaller backup is saved. When restoring with differential data backup, you do not have one large and many small backups, but only one full data backup and the current differential backup. On the other hand, it takes longer and more storage space is required
Other data backups:
These types of data backup in most cases also save things such as drivers that you do not need at all, and they are relatively complicated. It is therefore often advisable to use specific backup software that handles the processes automatically and usually lets you choose which files you want to save.
Another option is to manually copy the data to external hard disks, USB sticks, CDs, DVDs or to upload it to cloud servers. This allows you to decide for yourself which data needs to be backed up. In the event of a computer fault, it will also not be lost.
How does proper data backup work?
Proper data backup takes place at regular intervals. Of course, this also depends on how much new data is added daily or weekly. If you are constantly adding new, important data to your devices or you work in a business, then you should back up more regularly than someone who only occasionally transfers a few photos to their computer for private use.
A backup of the complete system is a must. This should ideally take place automatically, because not everyone always remembers to do it. However, the backup files are then still on the devices, which is why this alone is not enough.
What use is a backup file if you can no longer access it in future? You never know whether the data might be lost due to a fault, virus, fire or theft. It is therefore also necessary to transfer these backups to an external storage device.
If you do not want to save the entire operating system and the drivers as well, as is the case with a backup of the complete system, you should at least back up the most important data to an external storage device.
Keep this second storage device safe and separate from the first one. Alternatively, you can additionally protect your data with a remote backup via a cloud. This is also possible at our server location in Owingen.
After the backup, check thoroughly that all important data has actually been backed up. You should also check at certain intervals whether the data on your second storage device is still there. As backup software, Windows Backup is usually sufficient for businesses. If you want even better software, you should use drivesnapshot.de.