What is a Backup?
A backup is a copy of data, configurations or systems that you create so that you can later restore them (Recovery) following loss, corruption or incidents.
Backups are the foundation of digital resilience.
They are essential for limiting damage from events such as a Ransomware attack, hardware failure, human error or natural disaster.
🎯 Examples of backups
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| File backups | Copies of documents, databases or logs |
| Full system backup | Backup of an entire server or workstation, including OS and settings |
| Image-based backups | Disk images for fast recovery of complete machines |
| Configuration backups | Exportable settings of, for example, PLCs or SCADA systems |
| Cloud backups | Backups to online services such as Azure, AWS or a private Cloud |
| Offline/air-gapped | Backups physically separated from the network (e.g. on tape or external HDD) |
🧯 When are backups needed?
Always. But particularly:
- During incidents such as Ransomware, data breaches or system crashes
- For compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, NIS2 and BIO
- When carrying out updates, patches or reconfigurations
- For audit purposes or forensic investigation
🔁 Backup vs. Disaster Recovery
| Backup | Disaster Recovery |
|---|---|
| A copy of data or a system | A complete recovery process including IT/OT architecture |
| Focused on data preservation | Focused on business continuity and minimising downtime |
| Manual or automated | Often a fully orchestrated recovery process |
| Part of DR | DR uses backups as the source for recovery |
🏭 Specifically in OT environments
- Backups of PLC logic and firmware
- Configurations of HMI, SCADA and network settings
- Historical data from process measurements (e.g. Historian)
- Recipes, batch settings and operator parameters
These must be tested and protected regularly, for example through offline storage or Immutable Backup techniques.
📌 In summary
A backup is the last line of defence against data loss and system failure. Without reliable, tested backups, recovery is often impossible — particularly in OT-critical environments.