{"id":10273,"date":"2012-08-29T18:48:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-29T18:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/backup-and-recovery\/"},"modified":"2025-01-31T14:07:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T14:07:48","slug":"backup-and-recovery","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24058\/backup-and-recovery","title":{"rendered":"Backup and Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span id=\"what_is_backup_and_recovery\">What Is Backup and Recovery?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/23338\/data-backup\">Backup<\/a> and recovery means saving copies of important <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/15\/data-databases\">data<\/a> and bringing them back if lost or damaged.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Backup<\/strong> is when you make a copy of files, programs, or system settings and store them safely. <strong>Recovery<\/strong> is when you restore lost or broken data from these copies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Backup saves copies of important data, while recovery restores lost or damaged files to keep businesses running.<\/li>\n<li>Full, incremental, and differential backups offer different levels of security, speed, and storage efficiency.<\/li>\n<li>File restore recovers single files; image restore brings back entire systems; and bare-metal restore rebuilds everything after a major failure.<\/li>\n<li>The 3-2-1 rule, cloud vs. on-site storage, and automated vs. manual backups help businesses protect their data.<\/li>\n<li>Disaster recovery backup ensures fast recovery after major failures such as cyberattacks or system crashes, reducing downtime and keeping operations running.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_backup_and_recovery\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_backup_and_recovery\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Is Backup and Recovery?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_the_difference_between_recovery_and_backup\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_the_difference_between_recovery_and_backup\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Is the Difference Between Recovery and Backup?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"data_backup_types\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"data_backup_types\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Data Backup Types<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"recovery_types\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"recovery_types\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Recovery Types<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_strategies\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_strategies\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Strategies<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_disaster_recovery_backup\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_disaster_recovery_backup\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Is Disaster Recovery Backup?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_best_practices\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_best_practices\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Best Practices<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_pros_cons\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_pros_cons\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Pros &amp; Cons<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_backup_and_recovery\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_backup_and_recovery\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Is Backup and Recovery?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_the_difference_between_recovery_and_backup\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_the_difference_between_recovery_and_backup\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Is the Difference Between Recovery and Backup?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"data_backup_types\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"data_backup_types\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Data Backup Types<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"recovery_types\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"recovery_types\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Recovery Types<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_strategies\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_strategies\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Strategies<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_disaster_recovery_backup\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_disaster_recovery_backup\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Is Disaster Recovery Backup?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_best_practices\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_best_practices\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Best Practices<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"backup_and_recovery_pros_cons\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"backup_and_recovery_pros_cons\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Backup and Recovery Pros &amp; Cons<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    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When the user clicks on the button, scroll to the top of the document\n    function btnTop() {\n        const pageLegend = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse1');\n        document.querySelector('html').classList.remove('overflow-hidden');\n        pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"what_is_the_difference_between_recovery_and_backup\">What Is the Difference Between Recovery and Backup?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many businesses think backup and recovery mean the same thing, but they are different.<\/p>\n<p>A backup is just a stored copy of files, but it does not mean data can be used right away if something goes wrong. Recovery is the process of getting the data back and making it usable again.<\/p>\n<h3>Example Scenarios<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>When a business needs a backup:<\/strong> Before updating a system to avoid losing important data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>When a business needs recovery: <\/strong>After a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/cyberattack\">cyberattack<\/a> or system failure to restore lost files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some companies believe having a backup is enough. But if they do not test recovery, they might find their backups incomplete or unusable when needed.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"data_backup_types\">Data Backup Types<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Data backup is an important part of data backup and recovery methods.<\/p>\n<p>There are three main types of backups:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-tabs su-tabs-style-default su-tabs-mobile-stack su-tabs-vertical\" data-active=\"1\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-tabs-nav\"><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Full backup<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Incremental backup<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Differential backup<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"su-tabs-panes\"><div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Full backup&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p>Makes a complete copy of all data.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros: <\/strong>Easy to restore because all files are in one place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons: <\/strong>Takes a long time and needs a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26535\/cloud-storage\">cloud storage<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/storage-device\">space on a physical device<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Incremental backup&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3371\/incremental-backup\">Saves only the new or changed data<\/a> since the last backup.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros: <\/strong>Faster than a full backup and uses less storage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Recovery takes longer because it needs all previous backups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Differential backup&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p>Saves all changes since the last full backup.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros: <\/strong>Faster than a full backup and easier to restore than an incremental backup.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons: <\/strong>Uses more storage than incremental backups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<h3>Which Type of Backup Is Best?<\/h3>\n<p>The best data backup method depends on the company\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<p>Full backups take up the most space but are also the safest. Incremental backups save time and storage, while differential backups balance speed and efficiency. Many businesses actually use a mix of these methods.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"recovery_types\">Recovery Types<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Recovery and backup are both important, but the right recovery method depends on the type of data loss.<\/p>\n<p>There are three main ways to restore data:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim\">\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>File restore<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/never-really-gone-how-to-protect-deleted-data-from-hackers\/2\/30290\">Recovers individual files or folders<\/a> that were deleted or damaged.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Fast and simple; does not affect other files.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons: <\/strong>Cannot restore a whole system; only works for specific files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Image restore<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Restores a full system, including files, programs, and settings.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Brings back everything at once; useful for system crashes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons: <\/strong>Needs more storage and can take longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Bare-metal restore<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Rebuilds the entire system on a new device after a serious failure.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pros: <\/strong>Works even if the old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2210\/hardware-hw\">hardware<\/a> is lost; restores everything.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Takes a lot of time and needs careful backup planning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<h3>Choosing the Right Recovery Method<\/h3>\n<p>Companies pick their recovery method based on risk level. File restore is suitable for small mistakes; image restore helps after system failures and bare-metal restore is needed when everything is lost.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing the difference between recovery and backup helps businesses prepare for emergencies.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"backup_and_recovery_strategies\">Backup and Recovery Strategies<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A strong data backup and recovery strategy helps businesses protect important information and recover quickly after data loss.<\/p>\n<p>Here are key ways to improve data backup and recovery methods:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-tabs su-tabs-style-default su-tabs-mobile-stack su-tabs-vertical\" data-active=\"1\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-tabs-nav\"><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>The 3-2-1 rule<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>General tips<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>On-premises vs. cloud storage<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><strong>Automated vs. manual backups<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"su-tabs-panes\"><div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;The 3-2-1 rule&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<p>This simple rule ensures data safety by keeping:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>3 copies of data for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/data-security\">security<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>2 copies on different storage types (e.g., external drive and cloud).<\/li>\n<li>1 copy stored in a different location to protect against disasters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;General tips&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Backups should be done regularly to keep data safe.<\/li>\n<li>Compressing backups can help save storage space and reduce costs.<\/li>\n<li>Storing related data together makes recovery faster and more efficient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;On-premises vs. cloud storage&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/cloud-exit-as-companies-move-data-on-premises\"><strong>On-premises storage<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Faster access but at risk from physical damage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cloud storage: <\/strong>Scalable, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/remote-access\">remote access<\/a>, and safer from local failures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"&lt;strong&gt;Automated vs. manual backups&lt;\/strong&gt;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Automated backups:<\/strong> Reduce mistakes and run on schedule.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manual backups: <\/strong>Give more control but require more effort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"what_is_disaster_recovery_backup\">What Is Disaster Recovery Backup?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/1074\/disaster-recovery-plan-drp\">Disaster recovery backup<\/a> is the process of restoring a database or IT system after a serious problem, such as a power failure, cyberattack, or hardware crash. A disaster recovery plan helps businesses get back to work quickly and reduce downtime.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Disaster recovery vs. traditional backup<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While data backup and recovery methods protect against accidental data loss, disaster recovery focuses on quickly restoring systems after a major failure. Disaster recovery solutions are built for speed, flexibility, and risk reduction, ensuring data recovery as fast as possible.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Disaster Recovery Solutions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>High availability disaster recovery (HADR)<\/strong>: Keeps databases running with minimal interruption.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recovery logs:<\/strong> Help restore data to a specific point in time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Automated backup systems: <\/strong>Save time and prevent human mistakes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A good disaster recovery plan helps businesses stay operational even after unexpected failures.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"backup_and_recovery_best_practices\">Backup and Recovery Best Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To keep important data safe, businesses should follow best practices for data backup and recovery:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim\">\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Security best practices<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<ul>\n<li>Encrypt backups to protect them from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/top-cybersecurity-threats-how-to-protect-your-data\">cyberthreats<\/a> by making data unreadable to unauthorized users.<\/li>\n<li>Use access controls to restrict who can view or change backup files, reducing security risks.<\/li>\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/antivirus\/best-antivirus-software\">antivirus software<\/a> to improve cybersecurity. With strong antivirus protection and a solid backup plan, businesses can restore data safely without risking reinfection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Testing backup systems<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<ul>\n<li>Running recovery tests helps businesses check if their recovery and backup definition works properly.<\/li>\n<li>Regular testing finds problems in the backup process before an actual failure happens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Compliance considerations<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/gdpr-do-you-know-if-your-organization-needs-to-comply\/2\/33826\">GDPR<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/25028\/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-privacy-rule-hipaa-privacy-rule\">HIPAA<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/30552\/pci-compliance\">PCI DSS<\/a> require businesses to store and protect sensitive data correctly.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24361\/database-management-systems-dbms\">database management system<\/a> (DBMS) should have security features to help meet legal requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Following these practices helps businesses protect data, avoid legal issues, and recover quickly after a failure.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"backup_and_recovery_pros_cons\">Backup and Recovery Pros &amp; Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A good recovery and backup plan helps businesses keep their data safe and continue working after problems. Below we consider the main pros &amp; cons:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-row\"><div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<h3>Pros<\/h3>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Keeps data safe and available after system crashes or cyberattacks<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Helps prevent data loss from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4015\/malicious-software-malware\">malware<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/26361\/hacking\">hacking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-check-circle\" style=\"color:#3CB371\"><\/i> Supports legal requirements like GDPR and HIPAA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-column su-column-size-1-2 pros_icons_\"><div class=\"su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<h3>Cons<\/h3>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Needs storage, security, and regular management<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-remove\" style=\"color:#e31f28\"><\/i> Backup failures or poor planning can cause data loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Understanding the backup and recovery definition is important for keeping business data safe and making sure it can be restored after a system failure. By using best practices like regular backups, security measures, and disaster recovery planning, companies can reduce risks, follow regulations, and recover data quickly when needed.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the meaning of backup and recovery?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">The backup and recovery meaning refers to saving copies of important data and restoring them if they get lost or damaged. A backup creates a secure copy, while recovery restores the lost data. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What system automatically handles backup and recovery?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A database management system can automate backup and recovery by scheduling backups, managing storage, and restoring lost data. Automated solutions reduce mistakes and help businesses recover quickly after system failures or cyberattacks.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the difference between file backup and file recovery?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">File backup means making copies of files for future use, while file recovery is the process of restoring lost or damaged files.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What does Dell Backup and Recovery do?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Dell Backup and Recovery is a tool for protecting files and system settings. It allows scheduled backups and quick recovery of lost data. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Backup and Recovery? Backup and recovery means saving copies of important data and bringing them back if lost or damaged. Backup is when you make a copy of files, programs, or system settings and store them safely. Recovery is when you restore lost or broken data from these copies. What Is the Difference [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286589,"featured_media":377714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"definitioncat":[249,227],"class_list":["post-10273","definition","type-definition","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","definitioncat-backup-and-recovery","definitioncat-data-management"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is Backup and Recovery? Definition, Types &amp; Strategies<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Backup and recovery is saving copies of important data and bringing them back if lost or damaged. 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