What is the difference between backup and archiving?

Backup and archiving serve different purposes in data management.

– Backup: The primary purpose of backups is to create a copy of data to ensure its availability in case the original data is lost, corrupted, or accidentally deleted. Backups are typically used to restore data to its original state in the event of data loss due to hardware failure, cybersecurity incidents, user error, or other unforeseen circumstances. Backups are usually performed on a regular basis to capture the most up-to-date information.

– Archiving: Archiving, on the other hand, involves storing data that is no longer actively used but may still hold value for future reference, regulatory compliance, or historical purposes. Archived data is often moved to a separate storage location to free up space on primary storage systems. Archiving helps organizations manage data growth, improve system performance, and meet legal or industry-specific retention requirements.

When to use one over the other depends on your specific data management needs:

– Use backup when you need to protect data from loss and ensure its recoverability in case of unexpected events.

– Use archiving when you want to retain data for long-term storage without cluttering operational systems with less frequently accessed information.

Ideally, a comprehensive data management strategy would involve a combination of both backup and archiving processes to ensure data availability, integrity, and long-term preservation.