BACKUP STRATEGY Meaning and
Definition
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A backup strategy is a comprehensive plan or set of actions formulated to safeguard data, files, or information from loss or damage. It involves implementing a systematic approach to creating duplicate copies of critical data to ensure its availability and integrity in the event of any unforeseen mishaps, such as hardware failure, natural disasters, data corruption, or accidental deletion.
A backup strategy typically entails defining backup objectives, determining backup frequency, selecting appropriate backup methods, and identifying storage locations for the backup data. The strategy may include various backup types, such as full backups (complete copies of all data), incremental backups (copies of only the changes since the last backup), or differential backups (copies of the changes since the last full backup). It may also involve scheduling backups to run automatically at specific intervals or manually triggered by the user.
Moreover, a backup strategy often entails deciding between on-site backups (stored in close proximity to the original data) or off-site backups (stored in a remote location), and selecting the appropriate storage media, such as external hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS), cloud storage services, or tape drives.
A well-designed backup strategy takes into consideration the criticality of the data, the required recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO), the available storage resources, budget constraints, and the level of redundancy desired. By implementing an effective backup strategy, organizations and individuals can mitigate the risks associated with data loss and ensure the continued availability and accessibility of valuable information.
Etymology of BACKUP STRATEGY
The term "backup" originated from the verb "to back up", which means to support or assist. It evolved from Middle English "bak", meaning "back", and "up", indicating movement or direction. The word "strategy" originated from the Latin word "strategia" and Greek word "strategos", meaning the art of a general or commander. It refers to a plan or approach designed to achieve a particular goal.
Therefore, the etymology of the phrase "backup strategy" combines the idea of supporting or assisting with the concept of a planned approach to achieve a specific goal, specifically in the context of data or information protection.
