SSCP Systems Security Certified PractitionerIncident Response and RecoveryMedium
An organization is evaluating its current backup strategy to ensure data availability in the event of a localized disaster. They require a solution that provides the fastest possible recovery time for critical data, even if it means higher storage costs. Which backup method would best meet this requirement?
- ASnapshot-based backups performed hourly
- BFull backups weekly with daily differential backups
- CContinuous Data Protection (CDP)
- DFull backups weekly with daily incremental backups
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Continuous Data Protection (CDP)
Continuous Data Protection (CDP) records every change to data, allowing for recovery to virtually any point in time with minimal data loss and very fast recovery times, making it ideal for the highest availability requirements.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Snapshot-based backups are good but are periodic, not continuous, meaning some data loss between snapshots is possible.
- B. Differential backups require the last full and the latest differential, which is faster than incremental but not as fast as CDP.
- D. Incremental backups require the last full and all subsequent incrementals, which is slower for recovery than differential or CDP.
Continuous Data Protection (CDP)
A backup and recovery strategy that continuously tracks and stores changes to data, allowing for restoration to any previous point in time.
- Offers the lowest Recovery Point Objective (RPO).
- Enables restoration to virtually any point in time.
- Often involves higher storage and network overhead.
Memory trick: CDP is the 'always-on' data guardian.