Backups - 3.4

Allows us to recover easily and quickly in the event of data loss.

On-Site / Off-Site

On-Site

Data and backup media are stored at the same location.
No internet link required, and data is immediately available.

Off-Site

Transfer of data over the Internet or WAN link to a remote location.
Restoration can be performed from anywhere with network access.

Organizations often use both methods for comprehensive backup strategies.

Frequency

Backups can be scheduled weekly, daily, hourly, etc.
Frequency depends on the importance and volatility of data and systems.
Multiple backup systems may have different backup schedules.

Encryption

Encrypting data during storage and transfer to prevent unauthorized access.
Protects against eavesdropping and data breaches.

Snapshots

Common in virtual machine (VM) and cloud environments.
Instant backup of an entire system or VM at a specific point in time.
24-hour/daily snapshots allow for very fast recovery.

Recovery (Testing)

Regular testing to ensure that backups are valid and can be used effectively in the event of a failure.

Replication

An ongoing, near real-time duplication of data to another location.
Data is always available because there is always a current copy.
A good approach for a hot site requiring immediate failover capabilities.

Journaling

Recording changes in a journal or log before they are committed to the main database or backup.
Helps prevent data corruption and aids in recovery after failures.
Acts as an intermediate step in the backup and recovery process.