Data security: Backup

Source: Penso Tecnologia

Hi there! It’s Andrea and Jhessika. Here to talk with you about English and technology. 

Nowadays, it is very common that most of the data we store is in digital format. There is a strong trend that “paper” is no longer the first option and that most personal and business data and documents are stored in the cloud, on the desktop, on the laptop, on a flash drive, on a hard drive, or on other means of digital storage. In order for data to be preserved and available, the most common and effective tool for data maintenance and preservation is backup.

What is Backup?

Backup is a system that prevents the loss of digital data. When you back something up, you create a copy. Backups can go onto one or more devices from a source, such as an external hard drive, flash drive, or on the cloud. The purpose of a backup is to recover data, or to restore information in case of equipment failure.

In previous years, many companies kept paper records as backup. Large company resources and personal documents were backed up in paper format. Now, with the spread of digital media, a digital backup has become commonplace when it comes to data preservation and loss prevention.

Importance of Backup 

We know how important it is to protect out personal data, like a college term paper or photos of a special trip. Imagine just how it is in a business environment, with a huge amount of data and confidential information at stake. That’s why periodic backups are vital for data security. Healthcare organizations, banks, insurance companies, and more rely on data being backed up so it’s never lost.

Backup Types 

Currently, there are several Backup automation tools and software, that are common ways to back up information. 

Full Backup is simple and commonly used in Automated Backups. In this method, all files are updated – not just new or modified ones – generating the advantage of always having a complete copy of all data, which facilitates the complete recovery of files, when necessary. One disadvantage of a full backup is that it requires much more time and more hardware storage capacity.

Incremental Backup is a type of backup used to assist and complement a full backup. It works with a focus on saving new and changed files. It is a method a little faster than the previous one when it comes to routine backup. However, a disadvantage is that to restore the functioning of a system, it is necessary to recover the complete data first, then the incremental data, and only after that the files must be restored.

Differential Backup is a method that also creates a copy of changed files, making a copy of everything that has been changed since then, using the information from the full backup. It is advantageous in that the restoration of files is faster as it uses the last full backup as a reference. A disadvantage would be the fact that it stores more data than the incremental, requiring more space in hardware and time to perform.

Manual Backup is common in the personal scope, being carried out from time-to-time chosen by the user. It is an ineffective method compared to the others, in terms of time and operational productivity, because it is subject to risks, such as various human failures, forgetting, or improper storage. Furthermore, it takes a lot of time and reduces operational productivity.

Cloud Backup is when there are internet servers, such as Gmail and OneDrive, which offer cloud storage services. It is normally a paid method and limited to a certain amount of file size. It is also a method that eliminates hardware costs and the physical space required for storage for the user.

Real-Time Backup is an action based on copying files identically to the data being produced, being generated by instantaneous updating of the copies. The method basically consists of copying the original files to their destination and the changed information will be immediately updated on that equipment. For this, a procedure called synchronization is used, which interconnects computers, files, and folders via local network or internet.

Scheduled backup is a feature performed by copying data through prior scheduling. The scheduling method is especially useful when network speed is limited.

Remote backup is a feature that has become popular due to the delivery of better data transmission speed over the commercial internet. It is a method that keeps copies for different information technology (IT) structures, through scheduling or whenever necessary.

English Vocabulary to Know about backups

1) Globalized: to (make a company or system) spread or operate internationally.

2) Data: information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer.

3) Desktop: a view on a computer screen that contains icons (= small symbols or pictures) representing files, programs, and other features of the computer.

4) Laptop: a computer that is small enough to be carried around easily and is flat when closed.

5) Flash drive: another name for a pen drive. A small piece of equipment that you connect to a computer or other piece of electronic equipment to copy and store information.

6) Hard drive: a part of a computer that reads information on a hard disk, or a separate device that can be connected to a computer in order to do this.

7) Cloud: the use of services, computer programs, etc. that are on the internet rather than ones that you buy and put on your computer.

8) Automation: the use of machines and computers that can operate without needing human control.

9) Hardware: the physical and electronic parts of a computer, rather than the instructions it follows.

10) Software: the instructions that control what a computer does; computer programs.

Did I miss any acronyms or terms related to backups that you want to know? Comment below to request more tech-related acronyms or terms to be added to the list.

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Sources:

https://acaditi.com.br/a-importancia-do-backup-para-a-seguranca-da-informacao-no-seu-negocio/ 

https://www.controle.net/imprensa/backup-para-pequenas-e-medias-empresas 

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/