How are data backup and archiving different?

How to protect and store data properly? Backing up and archiving your data plays a key role. The two terms are often used interchangeably, although they are diametrically opposed. For the sake of your business, let's do something about the difference between the two... so that you don't think about archiving what should be backed up and vice versa.

Data backup minimises losses in the event of an incident

When a backup is created copies of current data in order to restore them in case of loss, damage or inaccessibility. The main goal of data backup is to ensure that data is restored to the state it was in at the time of backup. Backups are often performed on a regular basis to minimize data loss in the event of an incident.

Main features of data backup:

  • Regularity: Backups are often performed on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly or monthly, and only include current data.
  • Rewritability: Old backups can be overwritten by new versions, saving storage space.
  • Quick recovery: The backed-up data is quickly available and is intended to restore the current state of the system.
  • Quantity: Backups usually contain a limited amount of data that is recently created.

Archiving does not work with "live" data

Data archiving versus backup is used to long-term data retention for compliance purposes, legal requirements or for long-term preservation of valuable information. Archived data is usually used less frequently but must be preserved for longer periods of time.

Main features of data archiving:

  • Longevity: Archived data is retained for long periods of time, sometimes decades. This period may be defined by legislation.
  • Immutability: Data in archives is usually protected against alteration and deletion to ensure its integrity. They are not overwritten.
  • Processing and searching: Archived data can be indexed and categorized to facilitate searches.
  • Data quality: Archived data is often selected based on its value and significance, not just its quantity. There is no need to archive everything.

Data backup and archiving: how do they differ?

We have tried to describe data backup and archiving as simply and concisely as possible. Now let's say, how they differ, to illustrate why it's not "the right thing to do" when you archive the data to be backed up and vice versa.

Long story short, the main difference between data backup and archiving is time horizon and purpose. Translated into "human language": Backed up data is "live" data. You work with them today and every day and the results of your current work depend on them. Do you have a business in progress? Data such as client information, order parameters, work in progress of your employees working on the project, etc. are all subject to backup. If you lost this data, you would have to find out everything again from the client and start the work from scratch. You would lose time, money, and in the end, you wouldn't even leave a good impression with the client.

Backup is focused on short-term recovery of current data in the event of a disaster. This may be not only tornadoes and fires, but also cyber attacks (which are increasing lately) or "ordinary" human error. Archiving is aimed at long-term data retention for various purposes, including compliance and historical analysis.

It is important to combine archiving and backup correctly

However, it cannot be said that one or the other process is more important. Plan a data protection strategy based on the specific needs and requirements of the organisation. The combination of data backup and archiving provides comprehensive data protection that is critical to maintaining your business continuity and regulatory compliance.

In conclusion, don't underestimate data backup or archiving. Both activities are key components of data management in information technology. It is important to understand their differences and use them correctly to ensure data reliability and availability in different situations.