Selective backup definition
Selective backup is a way of backing up data where only specific files, folders, or data sets are chosen to be copied and stored rather than all the data there is. An individual or organization decides which of their files are important — it could be based on frequency of use, sensitivity, or likelihood of modification. Once they establish these criteria, they configure backup software to target and backup only those files that match the description. You can do this on a scheduled basis or manually, depending on your preference and the importance of the data.
The main part of selective backup is the backup software that scans the source storage to identify and tag the data that matches the user-defined criteria. After identifying the data, the software starts the backup process for those selected items only, effectively ignoring all other data. The backed-up data can be stored on various backup mediums, like external hard drives, cloud storage, or network-attached storage devices.
Selective backup strategies are useful in situations where storage space is limited or when the time allocated to perform backups is not enough for all of the data. By focusing only on the essential data, selective backups can significantly reduce the volume of information that needs to be copied and stored, which uses storage resources more efficiently and makes backup faster.
However, it requires careful selection and regular updates for the backup criteria to ensure that all critical files are included in the backup process, or you risk leaving some important data unprotected.
See also: backup, backup as a service, data backup, data bank
