Data Backup
The term data backup refers to either the activity of copying computer files for purposes of retention or disaster recovery or to the actual repository of computer files which have been made for those purposes. Data backup (the activity) is usually accomplished through the process of copying files to tape, disk or other medium.
Two key concepts are important relating to data backup. First, deciding between local versus offsite storage of the data is always a consideration. Having an offsite backup provides protection from a disaster which affects your entire place of business such as a fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, etc. Offsite storage is generally now being accomplished through online storage. Please see our definition of Online Storage.
Second, data backup generally includes a retention policy. A retention policy defines the period of time for which the additional copy will be kept. An example of a typical retention policy is a policy used for Global Data Vault’s typical Advanced Data Protection service, and is shown below: For 7 days, users can go back to any individual point when a data backup was taken. Typically this is hourly for most customers. Customers actually set the policy, but we recommend hourly from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday which is the default. Then, for 14 days, users can recover any individual day, of which the most recent 7 allow access to any hour as above. Then for 30 days, users can choose a particular week. After that, users can choose a specific month.