Types of backup
There are several levels and types of backup:
■ Full backup – usually done daily, weekly, or monthly. Includes both system and data files
■ Incremental backup – backs up only files that have changed since the last full or incremental backup
■ Differential backup – backs up every file that has changed since the last full backup
■ Archiving – when data is stored with the possibility of using it quickly and in random order

What to backup
It’s important to prioritise your data and ensure you are backing up the information that really matters. This will include user and corporate data, databases, and operating system files. The most important of the operating system files are the OS configuration files. These include the Registry, the IIS metabase, the certificates database, and the Active Directory database.

Leave room for growth
It makes sense to leave room for expansion. You should be able to add tape capacity (either in the form of larger-capacity tapes or more actual tapes) and backup hardware and software to your system with relative ease. Otherwise you’ll be continually patching together new ways to keep up with the amount of data you need to backup. This will ultimately compromise your system’s reliability and you may even be forced to buy a new backup system in a year or so.
Location, location, location
You should make multiple copies of your data on removable storage media and keep them in different locations to safeguard against physical loss or theft. Put media which contains mission-critical data in fireproof boxes for added protection.

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