Best Backup Methods

There are four primary locations for backups, of which each one has aspects to consider:

1) Backup on the same hard drive, and the same partition. This method of backup is functional for limited purposes; but for backups where security, and integrity, are important you will want to choose one of the next three methods.

2) Backup on the same hard drive, and a different partition. This method has increasing integrity potential. It will exist on a separate partition, therefore the integrity of the disk space, that is occupied by the other partition, cannot effect the integrity of your backups. Because your backups will still be on the same disk, integrity cab be breached upon failure of the hard drives mechanical, or electrical components. If you want to prepare for an potential threat, you can choose from one of the following methods.

3) Backup on another computer. This can be achieved via SSH, FTP, or another other method of file transfer. Because your backups will be on a completely different computer, the integrity of your main computers hard drive will have no impact on the integrity of your backups. While this is by far the most convenient method available, and it is increasingly practical as compared to method one and two, the most secure method is not storing your backups on magnetic hard drives altogether.

4) Because magnetic hard drives are suscecptible to magnetic energy, and a de-gaussing loop can obliterate data, the most secure method of backup storage is solid state or optical media; SSDs, Flash, CD, DVD, ect…..

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