Backup Types

• Full Backup: Copies all selected files and data completely. It offers the fastest restoration time, but takes the longest time to create and requires the most storage space.
• Incremental Backup: Copies only the data that has changed since the very last backup of any type. It is fast and saves storage space, but restoring data takes longer because it requires the initial full backup plus every subsequent incremental backup in order.
• Differential Backup: Copies all changes made since the last full backup. It uses more space than an incremental backup, but restores faster because it only needs the initial full backup and the latest differential backup.
• Mirror Backup: Creates an exact replica of the source data at the time of the backup. If a file is deleted from the source, it is also deleted from the mirror copy.

Storage Types

• Local Backup: Stores data on physical devices nearby, such as external hard drives, USB sticks, or network-attached storage (NAS). Restores are fast, but local disasters can destroy both the original and the backup.
• Cloud Backup: Sends data over the internet to remote servers managed by providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. It protects against local disasters, but large restores can be slow depending on internet speed.
• Hybrid Backup: Combines local storage for fast everyday restores with cloud storage for safe off-site disaster recovery.

Copies

• The 3-2-1 backup method is a proven strategy that requires keeping three total copies of your data across two different storage media, with at least one copy stored off-site.

Retention Schedules

• Daily Backups: Kept for 14 to 35 days to handle routine file restoration, human error, and recent corruption.
• Weekly Backups: Retained for 8 to 12 weeks to provide broader rollback options without preserving every daily copy.
• Monthly Backups: Stored for 12 to 24 months for historic checkpoints and periodic financial reviews.
• Yearly/Long-Term Archives: Kept for 3 to 7 years (or longer) to satisfy tax, legal, and regulatory stipulations.