Information security in general practice

Information backup

Types of backup

      6. Types of backup
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Last revised: 21 Apr 2023

Types of backup

Cloud backup

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Login and upload to the cloud

This process allows ongoing backup to a storage medium that is always connected to the internet. The term ‘cloud’ refers to the backup storage facility being accessible from the internet.

Cloud backup is different to online backup in that the data can be accessed securely from any other computer with an internet connection.

Pros

Cons
  • Good physical protection
  • Easy to access
  • Files are automatically backed-up
  • Data is replicated across several storage media
  • More expensive than local backups
  • Slow initial backups
  • Slow to restore
  • Requires fast internet connection for optimal performance
  • Increased cyber security risk
 

Local backup  

Backup by connecting directly to a storage device

This involves any backup where the storage medium is kept close at hand. Typically, the storage medium is plugged directly into the computer that is being backed-up.

Pros

Cons
  • Good protection from hard-drive failures, virus attacks, accidental deletes
  • Fast backup and restore
  • Low cost
  • Backups are easily obtained
  • Full internal control over the backup device (no third party involved)
  • Does not offer good physical protection from theft and natural disaster
  • Prone to virus attack and accidental deletes
 

Offsite backup  

Backup by connecting to a storage device which is then relocated offsite

This is where the backup storage medium is kept at a different geographic location from the source. The backup is initially completed locally on the usual storage devices. The storage medium becomes an offsite backup once it is taken to another location. 

Pros

Cons
  • Offers additional protection from natural disasters in comparison to local backup
  • Requires more due diligence to bring the storage media to the offsite location
  • Increased handling increases risk of damaging the device


Online backup

Login via internet and upload directly to a storage device offsite

This is a storage medium that is always connected via the internet and is usually located offsite.

Pros

Cons
  • Good physical protection
  • Data is replicated across several storage media
  • Frequent backups
  • Requires little manual interaction after setup
  • More expensive than local backups
  • Initial backups are slow
  • Slow to restore


Information backup video

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