8.13 Information Backup

Backup copies of information, software and systems should be maintained and regularly tested in accordance with the agreed topic-specific policy on backup.

Information backup, also known as data backup, is the process of creating and maintaining copies of data so that it can be recovered in the event of data loss, such as data deletion, data corruption, or a security breach. The purpose of information backup is to ensure that critical data is not lost permanently and can be restored to its original state in the event of a disaster or data loss.

There are several types of information backup, including:

• Full Backup: A full backup creates a complete copy of all data that is being backed up.
• Incremental Backup: An incremental backup only copies the data that has changed since the last backup.
• Differential Backup: A differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup.
• Offsite Backup: Offsite backup is a method of storing a copy of data in a secure location that is geographically separate from the original data. This is often done to protect against natural disasters or other physical threats to the primary data location.
• Cloud Backup: Cloud Backup is a method of storing backup data on remote servers, typically operated by a third-party provider.
The frequency of backups and the type of backup used will depend on the organisation's specific needs and the criticality of the data being backed up. It is important to have a well-defined backup plan in place, and to test the backups regularly to ensure that they can be successfully restored in case of an emergency.