What is a backup?

We explain what a backup is and what is the use of making a backup. In addition, the steps that must be followed to perform backups.

What is a backup?

In computer science , a backup (from English: back up , “backup”, “reinforcement”), backup, backup or backup copy to a copy of the original data of an information system or a set of information is understood software (files, documents, etc.) that is stored in a safe place or a secure region of the system memory, in order to be able to re-dispose of your information in case any eventuality, accident or disaster occurs and causes Your system loss . In other words, it is a copy just in case, usually, it is updated from time to time as a security measure.

Today’s computer systems can be the victim of various types of accidents: remote attacks by hackers or computer viruses, physical destruction of storage media, and even accidental disposal by an authorized user . In these cases, the backup is manually or automatically used to restore lost information, thus minimizing data or information losses .

These data losses are really common: 66% of Internet users have experienced them, so it is very common to have backups in different formats : hard disk sectors, removable storage devices or even in the same cloud, that is , on Internet servers . This form of prevention is recommended in all digital prevention rules and large companies invest part of their budget and their data storage capacity to support their most important and confidential information.

How to perform an effective back?

To perform a backup, the following steps are usually followed:

Selection of the key material to support: irreplaceable information, of great economic value, etc.
Storage in a secure system according to the possibilities of the individual or the organization . If possible, a local (own) backup and an external backup (in another company or service) should be made that is convenient.
Update of the backup taking into account the modified data of the information to be saved and the frequency with which it is modified, so that the backup is always as up-to-date as possible and the loss of information is minimized.

There are numerous programs, pages, companies and online services that offer backup and data recovery plans . The computer security sector is, in an increasingly digitalized world, a rapidly growing computer area.