What is Backup Software? Backup Software Key Features

What is Backup Software Introduction

Backup software is nothing more than a computer program which is used to perform a backup of your data. Backup software creates exact copies of files, databases, partitions, hard drives and even entire computers. In the event of a mishap the backup software restoration program may be used to restore the original contents in the event of data loss.

Backup Software Key Features

There are several key features of backup software which make it more effective in backing up data.

Archive Splitting (Volumes)

Imagine you have a hard drive with 50GB of data that you wish to backup or archive onto DVD. How would you do this? You could just copy the files, but just imagine how many DVDs (4.7GB max each) you will need.

• The better answer is to use your data backup software with archive splitting or voluming enabled.

Enabling archive splitting tells the software to compress and split data into separate volumes (blocks) for storage on smaller, removable media such as DVDs. This technique is handy when you want to store data offsite or even send it through the post.

• The advent of relatively cheap, large capacity, external USB drives however, has made archive splitting a less popular solution.

Data Compression and Backup Software

Compression algorithms used by backup software allow the data to be stored in a smaller ‘space’. Since compressing the data will reduce the storage size requirements, either more data can be stored on the same backup media or a smaller and potentially cheaper, backup drive can be used.

Compression can be either lossy, as in the case of compression used for music and video, or lossless as in the case of backups and archiving methods.

• Lossy compression reduces bits by identifying marginally important information and removing it. This means you can’t get the original file back after it has been compressed, you’re stuck with an interpretation of the original. For this reason, you can’t use this sort of compression for anything that needs to be reproduced exactly.
• Lossless compression reduces bits by identifying and eliminating statistical redundancy. With Lossless compression no information is lost, every single bit of data in the originally file is restore when uncompressed.

Remote Backup

With the rapid adoption of high speed Internet broadband connections there has been a surge in the use of remote or offsite backup of data to geographically distant sites. The take-up of this solution has been fuelled by the recent perceived rise in risk from hackers, natural disasters, fire, power outages, terrorist attacks and general hardware failures.

Due to the rapid growth of data and its importance to business, particularly institutions such as banks, stock exchanges and FOREX the remote backup solution is increasing seen as a viable addition to local backups to ensure data integrity.

Full, Differential and Incremental Backups

Backup solutions generally consist of a full backup followed by differential backups and/or incremental backups. With differential backups and incremental backups only material that is newer or changed compared to the full backup data is backed up. The technique has the benefit of significantly increasing the speed of the backup process but can have the detrimental effect of increasing the data restoration time should a disaster occur.

Backup Schedules

Backup schedules increase the reliability of the backups and where possible should be completely automated. The backup schedule determines how and when each backup job is completed.

The frequency with which you create backups depends on how often your data changes and how valuable your data is. A typical scheme for a smallish business might entail a full backup monthly with incremental backups performed each day or week. For highly valuable data, streaming (continuous, instantaneous) backups might be preferred

Encryption

To prevent data theft, backup software should offer cryptography features to protect the backup.

Hardly a week goes by where you don’t hear news stories about companies and governments leaking confidential data through the loss of their backup files. It doesn’t matter whether it was malicious theft, opportunistic snatching, or accidental misplacement the cost of data loss can be huge, and not just financially. When the data contains sensitive customer information, i.e., bank account and credit card numbers, the loss of trust is extremely damaging.

So I say again, to prevent data theft, backup software should offer cryptography features to protect the backup.

What is Backup Software Conclusion

For home/office/small business in need of a backup solution I would recommend True Image 2014 by Acronis. Acronis True Image protects your content, recovers your data in case of any disasters, and syncs it with all your devices or across computers. Safe, reliable, easy, it’s the ultimate in digital protection. This is the backup software I’ve been using for years. They also have a True Image 2014 Free trial here.

If you need a more advanced solution such as remote/cloud backup or related backup products then you might like to see my recommendations:

• Acronis Backup and Recovery Software for Home / Home Office
• Acronis Backup and Recovery Software for Business.
• Recommended Cloud Online Storage and Backup Solutions.

Well, I hope you found something useful and enjoyed this article, What is Backup Software. Don’t forget to let me have your thoughts in the comment box below. See you soon.