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What is Data Backup?

A separate, recoverable copy of your data, kept so you can restore it after loss, corruption, or a ransomware attack.

A data backup is a copy of your data stored separately so you can recover it if the original is lost, corrupted, encrypted by ransomware, or deleted. The widely cited rule of thumb is 3-2-1: three copies, on two types of media, with one kept off-site or offline. The detail that matters most is testing: a backup you have never tried to restore is a hope, not a plan. Because modern ransomware deliberately seeks out and destroys backups, keeping at least one copy offline or immutable is what turns a catastrophe into an inconvenience.

  • A separate, recoverable copy for loss, corruption, or ransomware.
  • Follow 3-2-1: three copies, two media types, one off-site or offline.
  • An untested backup is a hope, not a plan — modern ransomware hunts backups.

En français

Sauvegarde de données

Une copie distincte et récupérable de vos données, conservée pour les restaurer après une perte, une corruption ou un rançongiciel.

Une sauvegarde de données est une copie de vos données conservée à part afin de pouvoir les récupérer si l'original est perdu, corrompu, chiffré par un rançongiciel ou supprimé. La règle générale souvent citée est le 3-2-1 : trois copies, sur deux types de supports, dont une conservée hors site ou hors ligne. Le détail le plus important est le test : une sauvegarde que vous n'avez jamais tenté de restaurer est un espoir, pas un plan. Comme les rançongiciels modernes cherchent et détruisent délibérément les sauvegardes, en garder au moins une hors ligne ou immuable transforme une catastrophe en simple désagrément.

Data Backup: frequently asked questions

What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?

Keep three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with at least one stored off-site or offline. The offline copy is what survives ransomware that deliberately seeks out and destroys connected backups.

Do backups protect against ransomware?

Tested, offline or immutable backups are the most reliable way to recover without paying. But backups only help if you've verified you can actually restore from them — many organizations discover gaps mid-incident.

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