Archive vs backup – learn the differences (infographic)

I can see very often that the difference between archive and backup is not equally sharp for everyone. If you are an active user of tech forums, you perhaps also noticed the foggy conception when it comes to deciding on whether the company actually needs backup or archive or maybe both. As a response to that, CodeTwo has created an infographic Archive vs Backup to show the key differences between these two options.

It seems that the most common misconception is that when companies look for backups but what they actually need is archiving. And vice versa, when the company looks for a way to archive data but the real need is to have operational backup copies. To suit your company needs when it comes to data protection and ensuring data availability, you should be aware of the differences between backup and archive as they are meant for different purposes.

Archive vs backup – Infographic

So, briefly, archiving is your option if you need to collect mailbox data in the form of a cold copy. This is mainly used to fulfill legal duties of keeping company data for several years in case of a legal action. The backup, on the other hand, is suited for operational purposes. It gives you a guarantee that when an unexpected data loss occurs, you are able to efficiently restore missing data and quickly get back on track.

To get a bigger picture, see the infographic below. It will let you quickly explore the topic and get the key aspects of both archive and backup concepts.