A full backup is the most comprehensive of all backups. It stores all files and folders on a system. It is often the first back up to be created and is followed by incremental or differential backups. A full backup is the most efficient way of restoring files because there are fewer barriers or possible problems that could arise from a recovery. There are also no other backups which could complicate the restoration process or make it more time-consuming.
Full backups are often not implemented for a number of reasons;
- It takes far longer to run full backups than other types such as an incremental or differential backups
- Businesses and companies are unable to fit the full back up into their schedule because it is a peak time for their business.
- Scheduling is difficult due to labor costs and a lack of available staff that can do the full back up in an efficient manner
The process for a full back up is rather straightforward. However, it takes a long time to complete and that is why the scheduling can become complicated. Some businesses run 24 hours a day and do not have sufficient time to do a full back up. Here is an example of how a full backup can be put into practice by businesses or companies with sufficient time:
A full back up is completed every single night because the business is relatively small and there is sufficient employee labor. A full backup is completed from Tuesday to Saturday night. A backup is completed on Tuesday and the backup contains all files and folders in the system. Another full back up is completed on Wednesday and all files and folders are copied once again. The schedule continues on Thursday and the same thing happens. All files and folders are copied again. The same type of back up happens on Friday and Saturday night. The back up is the same every time. Unlike an incremental backup, the full back up includes files and folders that have been unchanged.
The advantages of a full backup include the following:
- The full backup stores all files and folders and if completed
frequently is fast and simple.
- It is a less complicated way of restoring files and alternative
versions.
- Full backups are better for data protection because all files and
folders are backed up
Some of the disadvantages of a full back up are listed below:
- Backups may take a very long time because every file will be
backed up when a full back up runs.
- A full back up takes a large amount of storage space compared to
incremental and differential backups. The same types of files are stored again and again. This
makes fulls backups far too inefficient.
- Each backup contains an entire copy of data which is great for protection against system
malfunction but can be a disaster if the full back up is lost or passed into the wrong hands. Once
an interested party has the information, they have everything. A cybersecurity expert should be
consulted about encryption before doing full backups.
Modern programs make it entirely possible to do a full back up overnight, however, there are times when this type of backup is just not possible. Another plan should be put in place for times when a full back up is not possible. The plan may include a weekly full back up with incremental and differential backups done daily.
The full back up is the original and the best when it comes to the safeguarding of data. It is also relatively simple. Better programs can execute full backups faster than ever before. However, the security risks are real and the loss of a full back up can result in security complications. Cybersecurity consultation can minimize this risk. All businesses and companies should also have a backup plan for times when a full backup is not possible.