Glossary of Terms

Full, Incremental & Differential Backups

Keyword Definition
Backup The process of making copies of data to protect against data loss.
Backup Time The amount of time required to complete a backup process, which can vary depending on the type and size of data being backed up.
Data Loss The unintentional destruction or loss of data, which can occur due to hardware failure, human error, or other factors.
Differential Backup A type of backup that copies all data that has changed since the last full backup, providing a middle ground between full and incremental backups.
Full Backup A type of backup that copies all data from a source to a storage medium.
Incremental Backup A type of backup that only copies data that has changed since the last backup, reducing backup time and storage space requirements.
Source The original location of the data being backed up, such as a computer or server.
Storage Medium A device or location used to store backup data, such as a hard drive or cloud storage.