Glossary
Backup and Recovery Software
What is Backup and Recovery Software?
Backup and recovery software is a type of software that enables organizations to protect themselves against data loss or corruption stemming from disasters, errors, or security incidents. It is an essential part of how modern organizations manage risk and maintain operational continuity.
What does backup and recovery software do?
As the name suggests, backup and recovery software fulfills its function through two phases.
Firstly, in the backup phase, the software creates duplicates of the user's files and systems. This is done at regularly scheduled intervals to ensure that up-to-date copies are always kept on hand. These copies are then stored in air-gapped environments, typically off-site or in the cloud, so as to isolate them, ensuring they remain uncompromised and ready to deploy.
The second phrase is the data recovery phrase, which only occurs in the event of an incident. If systems are compromised or data is lost, the software will give the user the option to restore everything using the most recently saved duplicates. Users are able to choose what they wish to restore, either choosing a partial recovery to restore select files, or a full recovery to restore all data and systems.
Once the recovery is completed, the user will have uncompromised, fully operational systems in place, complete with all data saved during the last backup.
What are some common use cases for backup and recovery software?
There are many scenarios where it is prudent to utilize backup and recovery software, depending on the nature and location of an organization. Common use cases for the software include the following:
Natural disasters: In instances where an organization experiences a natural disaster at its premises, physical infrastructure can be damaged, leading to operation disruption. Backup and recovery software can help organizations to avoid data loss and restore system functionality.
Ransomware attacks: In a ransomware attack, a threat actor uses malicious software to encrypt a target's data so that they can demand a ransom for its return. Using backup and recovery software can allow organizations to prepare for such an eventuality so that they can avoid the financial and operational damage of such an event.
Data migration and system updates: During processes like data migration and updates, unexpected errors can occur which can impact the functionality of systems. For this reason, organizations commonly use backup and recovery software to ensure that they can roll back and troubleshoot changes.
What are the benefits of backup and recovery software?
There are numerous advantages to implementing backup and recovery software. Key benefits include the following:
Data security and integrity: Using backup and recovery software ensures that clean, intact, and encrypted versions of data resources are always available. This ensures data integrity and safeguards organizations against data loss.
Reduced downtime: Implementing backup and recovery software empowers organizations to quickly return to normal operations following a disruptive incident. This minimizes downtime to ensure optimal operational continuity.
Regulation compliance: By safeguarding sensitive data, backup and recovery software can help organizations stay in compliance with industry regulations and standards for data retention and protection.