Incremental backup: Secure for frequent adjustments

The secure, legally compliant retention and storage of information is subject to increasingly strict regulations. Regular backups of relevant data are therefore essential. Losses can also result in financial and time losses. In order to find the perfect solution for your company, we present incremental backup as one such solution and compare it with other data backup methods.

Data changes securely archived and stored: thanks to incremental backup.

What exactly is an incremental backup?

An incremental backup is a data backup method in which changed data is saved in relation to the last complete backup, but as separate units. If a backup is performed incrementally, this means that a full backup is performed on Sunday, for example, whereby all data as well as software and/or the current status of the operating system are backed up completely once. If there are then changes to the data on Monday - for example, if customers change their master data, such as bank details or home addresses, or if orders are received - these are backed up separately. If changes are made again during the following days of the week that need to be backed up directly, they are backed up in the same way on new storage media, i.e. in relation to the previous day of the week. At the end of the week, you would therefore have a complete backup of the previous week and, for example, 5 tapes that would be required to restore the system in the event of a disaster.

The incremental data backup is particularly useful if you have to make frequent data changes in your company, if many transactions take place or orders are received that you want to have backed up directly and if you want to use as little storage space as possible. The disadvantage, however, is that all the tapes from the week and the last complete backup are required to restore the system.

Differentiation from other types of backup

Another way of regularly backing up your data would be to perform a separate full backup every day, i.e. to back up your entire system including all existing data every day. All of the backed-up data would then be in the same storage location, which would make system recovery and handling much easier in the event of a disaster. However, it requires many times the storage capacity that would be necessary for an incremental backup.

Another data backup method is differential backup. This is a backup that, based on the above example, backs up all new and changed data every day and saves the previous days up to the last complete backup. In an emergency, therefore, only 2 tapes, the last complete backup and the "Friday tape" would be required for restoration. Whether a backup is performed incrementally or differentially depends on how much storage capacity you have available and how much effort you can and want to devote to the restore.

Another system used is the so-called grandfather-father-son principle. Here, for example, all data is backed up completely every month. This backup would therefore be considered a "grandfather" backup. Another full backup cycle is created weekly, so that in addition to the one-time monthly backup, 4 weekly backups are created, the "father" backups. The "son" files are backed up daily, either as a full backup or according to the incremental principle. This means that either all data or the changes to the "father" file are saved every day. If son or father files are lost, the grandfather file would still remain to enable recovery according to this procedure, also known as the generation principle.

Incremental backup on Windows 10 & Windows 7

Langmeier offers various tools for creating an incremental backup on Windows 10 or Windows 7. Open as well as hidden images can be mounted as drives even without system repair after restoration, which simplifies backups and makes configuration and browsing easier. Browser bookmarks and Outlook mailboxes can also be easily backed up using the latest software, Langmeier Backup 9.1. The backup can be started automatically and it only takes a few clicks to save your data with an incremental backup, but also differentially or in a full backup if desired. The connection to business applications is possible via VB-Script and alternative storage media are also no problem.

Thanks to central backup protocols, 256-bit encryption and the option of backing up data to ZIP archives, data backup is made easier for you. Under Windows 10, an incremental backup is created quickly and easily with the help of Langmeier.

Incremental data backup: Areas of application and suitable storage media

Incremental backups are particularly suitable for companies whose work is based on constant data changes. Incoming and outgoing invoices, orders and changes to customer, employee and supplier data, the loss of which would have negative consequences, are examples of such information. Particularly sensitive data, which increases the company's attractiveness to hackers and therefore the likelihood of being compromised by malware and espionage, should also be saved and stored securely at short intervals. To ensure secure storage, the storage media must be kept separate from the original files and protected from external influences. Bank safe deposit boxes or specially designated rooms are ideal for this purpose. Since an incremental backup requires both the last complete backup and subsequent individual backups for recovery, the storage must be regulated accordingly.

##If you want to perform an incremental backup, there are various storage media available to you. Either external hard disks or specially secured and encrypted sticks can be used. It is also possible to back up your data to a network storage device. However, a NAS (Network Attached Storage) can also be damaged by power failures, floods or fires, even if it has been backed up using RAID mirroring. The situation is similar with backup storage on magnetic tape. These are susceptible to electromagnetic stress and their storage capacity decreases with decreasing magnetization, which makes it necessary to restore the data after 5-6 years.

Langmeier Backup: the right solution for your company too?

Are you still looking for suitable backup solutions for your company? Regardless of whether you want to perform your data backup incrementally, differentially or in the form of full backups, you will find the right software at Langmeier. Whether a data backup according to RAID procedures, an EDP backup copy or the storage of company data on a secure external hard disk, with Langmeier you will also find your Microsoft backup favorite. In addition to the backup solution for small companies, Langmeier also offers suitable software for SMEs and large companies.