Backup software is software designed to backup data for the purpose of having a second copy of an original source in case of damage to the original data source.

Key features of backup software

There are several features of backup software that make it more effective in backing up data.

Volumes

Main article: Volume (compression)

Voluming allows the ability to compress and split backup data into separate parts for storage on smaller, removable media such as CDs. It was often used because CDs were easy to transport off-site and inexpensive compared to hard drives or servers.

However, the recent increase in hard drive capacity and decrease in drive cost has made voluming a far less popular solution. The introduction of small, portable, durable USB drives, and the increase in broadband capacity has provided easier and more secure methods of transporting backup data off-site.

Data compression

Main article: Data compression

Since hard drive space has cost, compressing the data will reduce the size allowing for less drive space to be used to save money.

Remote backup

Main article: Remote backup

Several factors have contributed to a surge in the use of remote or offsite backup of data to geographically distant sites.

The rapid growth of data and its importance to business.

The rapid adoption of high-speed broadband internet.

The falling price of disk drive technology.

The rise of risks such as hackers, hurricanes, viruses, hardware failure.

These structural changes present opportunities for young startups, which are serving this growing market with next-generation backup technologies that automatically backup data to offsite data centers (sometimes called vaults) via the Internet. Many banks, stock exchanges, and other large institutions often do this to ensure data integrity.

Access to open files

Main article: File locking

Many backup solutions offer a plug-in for access to exclusive, in use, and locked files.

Incremental backups

Main article: Backup rotation scheme

Backup solutions typically support incremental backups in addition to full backups, so only material that is newer or changed compared to the backed up data is actually backed up, in order to dramatically increase the speed of the backup process.

Schedules

Main article: Job scheduler

Backup schedules are typically supported to reduce maintenance of the backup tool and increase the reliability of the backups.

Encryption

Main article: Encryption

To prevent data theft some backup software offers cryptography features to protect the backup.