best personal backup external hard drive 2015

The process is governed by predefined backup policies that specify how frequently the data is backed up and how many duplicate copies - known as replicas - are required, as well as by service-level agreements ( SLAs) that stipulate how quickly data must be restored.īest practices suggest a full data backup should be scheduled to occur at least once a week, often during weekends or off-business hours. What data should be backed up and how frequently?Ī backup process is applied to critical databases or related line-of-business applications. The terms data backup and data protection are often used interchangeably, although data protection encompasses the broader goals of business continuity, data security, information lifecycle management and prevention of malware and computer viruses. The process of retrieving backed-up data files is known as file restoration. The goal is to ensure rapid and reliable data retrieval should the need arise. Backups capture and synchronize a point-in-time snapshot that is then used to return data to its previous state.īackup and recovery testing examines an organization's practices and technologies for data security and data replication. The process of backing up data is pivotal to a successful disaster recovery plan.Įnterprises back up data they deem to be vulnerable in the event of buggy software, data corruption, hardware failure, malicious hacking, user error or other unforeseen events. James Alan Miller, Senior Executive Editorīackup refers to the copying of physical or virtual files or databases to a secondary location for preservation in case of equipment failure or catastrophe.

Best personal backup external hard drive 2015