CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which backup method involves incremental backups based on a full backup?

1. Full

2. Differential

3. Snapshot

4. Incremental

The correct answer is: Incremental

The correct answer is incremental backup, which is designed to save only the data that has changed since the last backup, whether that was a previous incremental backup or a full backup. This method is efficient because it reduces the amount of storage space required and minimizes backup time, allowing for quicker recovery processes. Incremental backups are always performed following a full backup and will capture any modifications made after the last backup was taken, meaning they accumulate over time. To fully restore data from an incremental backup, you would first need the initial full backup and then all the subsequent incremental backups taken afterward. In contrast, a full backup captures all selected data at one point in time, while differential backups capture all changes made since the last full backup. A snapshot refers to a point-in-time representation of a system's state, rather than a traditional backup method. The unique characteristics of incremental backups make them a vital strategy in efficient data management and disaster recovery planning.