Useful guide

Backup, restore or data recovery?

These terms are often confused. Yet they address different problems. A backup protects in advance. A restore puts a valid copy back in place. A recovery intervenes when data is no longer accessible on the original media or when the backup is no longer sufficient.

1. Backup

Backup consists of creating scheduled copies of data or systems to reduce the impact of deletion, failure, human error or a cyber incident. It is a preventive measure.

  • Automatic local, off-site or cloud copies.
  • Protection of workstations, servers, virtual environments and applications.
  • Main objective: be able to quickly restore a healthy version.

2. Restore

Restore is the step where data or systems are brought back to service from an available and usable backup.

  • Returning a deleted file from a healthy copy.
  • Bringing a virtual machine or server back online from a restore point.
  • Cases where the original media does not need to be opened or handled as a primary source.

3. Data recovery

Data recovery becomes necessary when there is no usable backup, when the restore fails, or when the original media still contains the only useful traces.

  • External drive, SSD or phone not recognized.
  • RAID, NAS or server unstable after failure or bad rebuild.
  • Deletion, corruption or formatting with no valid copy to restore from.

4. Digital forensics

Digital forensics adds a requirement for preservation, traceability and interpretation when the case involves fraud, litigation, an internal incident or a need for more formal analysis.

  • Preserve the media and limit handling.
  • Document actions, timeline and observed elements.
  • Produce a more readable file for internal or external parties.

When backup is no longer enough

  • The backup exists, but the restore point is corrupted or incomplete.
  • A restore was attempted without recovering the useful data.
  • The original media suffered a physical or logical failure before the copy.
  • A sensitive incident requires protecting the media rather than freely handling it.

How to direct your case

If you have a healthy, tested copy, the right path is usually a restore. If no usable copy is available, or if the source media has become inaccessible, a recovery lab becomes relevant. If the context also involves evidence, integrity or timeline, a forensic approach should be considered.

Describe your situation See data recovery